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INHERITORS 



INHERITORS 

A PLAY IN THREE ACTS 

BY 

SUSAN GLASPEEL 





BOSTON 
SMALL, MAYNARD & COMPANY 

PUBLISHERS 



-p5 -3 5 t '^ 



Copyright, 192 1 

By small, MAYNARD & COMPANY 
(incorporated) 



PRODUCTION OF THIS PLAY MUST NOT BE MADE EXCEPT 

BY ARRANGEMENT WITH THE AUTHOR, WHO MAY 

BE ADDRESSED IN CARE OF THE PUBLISHERS 



OT (8 1921 
■0)CIA627771 



INHERITORS 

A PLAY IN THREE ACTS 

BY 

SUSAN GLASPELL 

First Performed by the Provlncetown Players 
New York City, March 21, 1921 

ORIGINAL CAST 

Smith A. K. Miller 

Grandmother, Silas Morton's Mother 

Blanche Hays 

Felix Fejevary, ist Arnold Schwarz 

Silas Morton George Cram Cook 

Felix, Son of Felix Fejevary, ist . William Rainey 

Senator Lewis, A State Senator . Alan McAteer 

Horace, Son of Felix Fejevary, 2nd . Andrew Fraser 

Doris I /^ 77 ^ /-• 7 ( Teannie Begg 

Fussie J College G^rls . . . | "^ Emily Taft 

Madeline Fejevary Morton .... Ann Harding 
Aunt Isabel, Wife of Felix Fejevary, 2nd 

Elizabeth Brown 

Harry, A Student Clerk Donn Miller 

Professor Holden James Light 

Ira Morton, Son of Silas Morton . Jasper Deeter 
Emil Johnson ,. . . Harold McGee 



INHERITORS 



INHERITORS r^ 

ACT ONE 

Scene : Sitting-room of the Morton's farmhouse in 
the middle west — on the rolling prairie fust back from 
the Mississippi. A room that has been long and com-' 
fortably lived in, and showing that first-hand contact 
with materials which was pioneer life. The hospitable 
table was made on the place — well and strongly made; 
there are braided rugs, and the wooden chairs have 
patchwork cushions. There is a comer closet — left 
rear. A picture of Abraham Lincoln. On the floor a 
home-made toy boat. At rise of curtain there are on 
the stage an old woman and a young man. Grand- 
mother Morton is in her rocking-chair near the open 
door, facing left. On both sides of door are windows, 
looking out on a generous land. She has a sewing 
basket and is patching a boy's pants. She is very old. 
Her hands tremble. Her spirit remembers the days of 
her strength. 

Smith has fust come in and, hat in hand, is standing 
by the table. This was lived in the year i8^p, afternoon 
of Fourth of July. 

Smith 

But the celebration was over two hours ago. 

Grandmother 

Oh, celebration, that's just the beginning of it. 
Might as well set down. When them boys that fought 
together all get in one square — ^they have to swap stories 
all over again. That's the worst of a war — ^you have to 



2 INHERITORS 

go on hearing about it so long. Here it is — 1879 — ^and 
we haven't taken Gettysburg yet. Well, it was the same 
way with the war of 1832. 

Smith 

[Who is now seated at the table.] The war of 1832? 

Grandmother 

News to you that we had a war with the Indians? 

Smith 

That's right — the Blackhawk war. I've heard of it. 

Grandmother 

Heard of it ! 

Smith 

Were your men In that war ? 

Grandmother 

I was in that war. I threw an Indian in the cellar and 
stood on the door. I was heavier then. 

Smith 

Those were stirring times. 

Grandmother 

More stirring than you'll ever see. This war — 
Lincoln's war — it's all a cut and dried business now. 
We used to fight with anything we could lay hands on — 
dish water — whatever was handy. 

Smith 

I guess you believe the saying that the only good 
Indian is a dead Indian. 



INHERITORS 3 

Grandmother 

I dunno. We roiled them up considerable. They 
was mostly friendly when let be. Didn't want to give 
up their land — but I've noticed something of the same 
nature in white folks. 

Smith 
Your son has — something of that nature, hasn't he ? 

Grandmother 

He's not keen to sell. Why should he? It'll never 
be worth less. 

Smith 

But since he has more land than any man can use, 
and if he gets his price — 

Grandmother 
That what you've come to talk to him about? 

Smith 

I — ^yes. 

Grandmother 

Well, you're not the first. Many a man older than 
you has come to argue it. 

Smith 
[Smiling.] They thought they'd try a young one. 

Grandmother 

Some one that knew him thought that up. Silas'd 
help a young one if he could. What is it you're set on 
buying ? 



4 INHERITORS 

Smith 

Oh, I don't know that we're set on buying anything. 
I£ WB could have the hill [Looking off to the right] at 
a fair price — 

Grandmother 

The hill above the town ? Silas'd rather sell me and 
the cat. 

Smith 

But what's he going to do with it ? 

Grandmother 
Maybe he's going to climb it once a week. 

Smith 
But if the development of the town demands its use — 

Grandmother 
[Smiling.] You the development of the town? 

Smith 
I represent It. This town has been growing so fast — 

Grandmother 
This town began to grow the day I got here. 

Smith 
You — ^you began it ? 

Grandmother 
My husband and I began it — and pur baby Silas. 

Smith 
When was that ? 



INHERITORS S 

Grandmother 
1820, that was. 

Smith 
And — ^you mean you were here all alone ? 

Grandmother 

No, we weren't alone. We had the Owens ten miles 
down the river. 

Smith 
But how did you get here ? 

Grandmother 

Got here in a wagon, how do you s'pose? [Gayly] 
Think we flew ? 

Smith 
But wasn't it unsafe? 

Grandmother 
Them set on safety staid back in Ohio. 

Smith 

But one family ! I should think the Indians would 
have wiped you out. 

Grandmother 

The way they wiped us out was to bring fish and corn. 
We'd have starved to death that first winter hadn't been 
for the Indians. 



INHERITORS 



Smith 



But if they were such good neighbors: — ^why did you 
throw dish water at them? 

Grandmother 

That was after other white folks had roiled them up — 
white folks that didn't know how to treat 'em. This 
very land — land you want to buy — was the land they 
loved — Blackhawk and his Indians. They came here 
for their games. This was where their fathers — as they 
called 'em — were buried. I've seen my husband and 
Blackhawk climb that hill together. [A backward point 
right.] He used to love that hill — Blackhawk. He 
talked how the red man and the white man could live 
together. But poor old Blackhawk — ^what he didn't 
know was how many white man there was. After the 
war — when he was beaten but not conquered in his 
heart — ^they took him east — ^Washington, Philadelphia, 
New York — and when he saw the white man's cities — 
it was a different Indian came back. Hq just let his 
heart break without ever turning a hand. 

Smith 

But we paid them for their lands. [She looks at 
him.] Paid them something. 

Grandmother 

Something. For fifteen million acres of this Mis- 
sissippi Valley land — best on this globe, we paid two 
thousand two hundred and thirty-four dollars and fifty 
cents, and promised to deliver annually goods to the 
value of one thousand dollars. Not a fancy price — 
even for them days. 



INHERITORS 7 

[Children's voices are heard outside. She leans for- 
ward and looks through the door, left.] Ira ! Let that 
cat be ! 

Smith 

[Looking from the window.] These, I suppose, are 
your grandchildren? 

Grandmother 

The boy's my grandson. The httle girl is Madeline 
Fejevary — Mr. Fejevary's youngest- child. 

SMIffH 

The Fejevary place adjoins on this side? 

[Pointing right, down. 

Grandmother 

Yes. We've been neighbors ever since the Fejevarys 
came here from Hungary after 1848. He was a count 
at home — and he's a man of learning. But he was a 
refugee because he fought for freedom in his country. 
Nothing Silas could do for him was too good. Silas 
sets great store by learning — and freedom. 

Smith 

[Thinking of his own project, looking off toward the 
hill — the hill is not seen from the front.] I suppose 
then Mr. Fejevary has great influence with your son? 

Grandmother 

More 'an anybody. Silas thinks 'twas a great thing 
for our family to have a family like theirs next place 
to. Well — so 'twas, for we've had no time for the things 
their family was brought up in. Old Mrs. Fejevary 



8 INHERITORS 

[with her shrewd smile] — she weren't stuck up' — but 
she did have an awful ladylike way of feeding the 
chickens. Silas thinks — oh my son has all kinds of 
notions — ^though a harder worker never found his bed 
at night. 

Smith 

And Mr. Fejevary — is he a veteran too? 

Grandmother i 

[Dryly. ^ You don't seem to know these parts well — 
for one that's all stirred up about the development of 
the town. Yes — FeHx Fejevary and Silas Morton went 
off together, down that road [motioning with her hand, 
right] — when them of their age was wanted. Fejevary 
came back with one arm less than he went with. Silas 
brought home everything he took — ^and something he 
didn't. Rheumatiz. So now they set more store by each 
other 'an ever. Seems nothing draws men together like 
killing other men. [A hoy's voice teasingly imitating a 
cat.] Madeline, make Ira let that cat be. [A whoop 
from the girl — a boy's whoop.] [Looking.] There they 
go, off for the creek. If they set in it — [Seems about 
to call after them, gives this up.] Well, they're not the 
first. 

[Rather dreams over this. 

Smith 

You must feel as if you pretty near owned this 
country. 

Grandmother 

We worked. A country don't make itself. When 
the sun was up we were up, and when the sun went 



INHERITORS 9 

down we didn't. [As if this renews the self of those 
days.] Here — let me set out something for you to eat. 

IGets up with difficulty. 

Smith 

Oh, no, please — ^never mind. I had something in 
town before I came out. 

Grandmother 

Dunno as that's any reason you shouldn't have some- 
thing here. 

[She goes off, right; he stands at the 
door, looking toward the hill until she 
returns with a glass of milk, a plate 
of cookies. 

Smith 
Well, this looks good. 

Grandmother 

I've fed a lot of folks — ^take it by and large. I didn't 
care how many I had to feed in the daytime — what's 
ten or fifteen more when you're up and around. But to 
get up — after sixteen hours on your feet — I was willin', 
but my bones complained some. 

Smith 
But did you — ^keep a tavern ? 

Grandmother 

Keep a tavern? I guess we did. Every house is a 
tavern when houses are sparse. You think the way to 
settle a country is to go on ahead and build hotels? 



lo INHERITORS 

That's all you folks know. Why, I never went to bed 
without leaving something on the stove for the new ones 
that might be coming. And we never went away from 
home without seein' there was aplenty for them that 
might stop. 

Smith 

They'd come right in and take your food? 

Grandmother 
What else could they do ? There was a woman I al- 
ways wanted to know. She made a kind of bread I 
never had before — and left aplenty for our supper when 
we got back with the ducks and berries. And she left 
the kitchen handier than it had ever been. I often 
wondered about her — where she came from, and where 
she went. [As she dreams over this there is laughing 
and talking at the side of the housed] There come the 
boys. 

[Mr. Fejevary comes in, followed by 
Silas Morton. They we men not 
far from sixty, wearing their army 
uniforms, carrying the muskets they 
used in the parade. Fejevary has a 
lean, distinguished face, his dark 
eyes are penetrating and rather wist- 
ful. The left sleeve of his old uni- 
form is empty. Silas Morton is a 
strong man who has home the bur- 
den of the land, and not for himself 
alone — the pioneer. Seeing the 
stranger, he sets his musket against 
the wall and holds out his hand to 
him, as Mr. Fejevary goes up to 
Grandmother Morton. 



INHERITORS il 

Silas 

How'do, stranger? 

Fejevary 

And how are you today, Mrs. Morton ? 

Grandmother 

I'm not abed — ^and don't expect to be. 

Silas 
[Letting go one of the balloons he has bought. 1 
Where's Ira ? And Madeline ? 

Grandmother 

Mr. Fejevary's Delia brought them home with her. 
They've gone down to dam the creek, I guess. This 
young man's been waiting to see you, Silas. 

Smith 
Yes, I wanted to have a little talk with you. 

Silas 

Well, why not ? [He is tying the gay balloons to his 
gun, then as he talks, hangs his hat in the corner closet.] 
We've been having a little talk ourselves. Mother, Nat 
Rice was there. I've not seen Nat Rice since the day 
we had to leave him on the road with his torn leg — ^him 
cursing like a pirate. I wanted to bring him home, but 
he had to go back to Chicago. His wife's dead, mother. 

Grandmother 

Well, I guess she's not sorry. 

Silas 

Why, mother. 



12 INHERITORS 

Grandmother 

"Why, mother." Nat Rice is a mean, stingy, com- 
plaining man — his leg notwithstanding. Where'd you 
leave the folks ? 

Silas 

Oh — scattered around. Everybody visitin' with any- 
body that'll visit with them. Wish you could have gone. 

Grandmother 
I've heard it all. [To Fejevary.] Your folks well? 

Fejevary 

All well, Mrs. Morton. And my boy Felix is home. 
He'll stop in here to see you by and by. 

Silas 

Oh, he's a fine looking boy, mother. And think of 
what he knows ! [Cordially including the young man.] 
Mr. Fejevary's son has been to Harvard College. 

Smith 

Well, well — quite a trip. Well, Mr. Morton, I hope 
this is not a bad time for me to — ^present a little matter 
to you ? 

Silas 

[Genially.] That depends, of course, on what you're 
going to present. [Attracted by a sound outside.] 
Mind if I present a little matter to your horse? Like 
to uncheck him so's he can get a bite o' grass. 

Smith 
Why — ^yes. I suppose he would like that. 



INHERITORS 13 

Silas 

[Going out] You bet he'd like it. Wouldn't you, old 
boy? 

Smith 

Your son is fond of animals. 

Grandmother 

Lots of people's fond of 'em — and good to 'em. 
Silas — ^I dimno, it's as if he was that animal. 

Fejevary 

He has imagination. 

Grandmother 

[With surprise.] Think so ? 

Silas 

[Returning and sitting down at the table by the young 
man.] Now, what's in your mind, my boy? 

Smith 
This town is growing very fast, Mr. Morton. 

Silas 
Yes. [Slyly — with humor.] I know that. 

Smith 

I presume you, as one of the early settlers — ^as in fact 
a son of the earliest settler, feel a certain responsibility 
about the welfare of — 

Silas 

I haven't got it in mind to do the town a bit of harm. 
So — ^what's your point ? 



14 INHERITORS 

Smith 

More people — ^more homes. And homes must be in 
the healthiest places — the — ^the most beautiful places. 
Isn't it true, Mr. Fejevary, that it means a great deal to 
people to have a beautiful outlook from their homes? 
A — ^well, an expanse. 

Silas 

What is it they want to buy — ^these fellows that are 
figuring on making something out of — expanse? [A 
gesture for expanse, then a reassuring gesture.] It's 
all right, but — ^just what is it? 

Smith 

I am prepared to make you an offer — a gilt-edged 
offer for that [pointing toward it] hill above the town. 

Silas 

[Shaking his head — zvith the smile of the strong man 
who is a dreamer.] ■ The hill is not for sale. 

Smith 

But wouldn't you consider a — particularly good offer, 
Mr. Morton ? 

[Silas, who has turned so he can look out 
at the hill, slowly shakes his head. 

Smith 

Do you quite feel you have the right — the moral right 
to hold it? 

Silas 
It's not for myself I'm holding it. 



INHERITORS 15 

Smith 
Oh, — for the children? 

Silas 
Yes, the children. 

Smith 

But — if you'll excuse me — there are other invest- 
ments might do the children even more good. 

Silas 
This seems to me — ^the best investment. 

Smith 

But after all there are other people's children to con- 
sider. 

Silas 

Yes, I know. That's it. 

Smith 
I wonder if I unaerstand you, Mr. Morton? 

Silas 

[Kindly.] 1 don't believe you do. I don't see how 
you could. And I can't explain myself just now. So — 
the hill is not for sale. I'm not making anybody home- 
less. There's land enough for all — all sides round. 
But the hill— 

Smith 

[Rising.] Is yours. 

Silas 
You'll see. 



i6 INHERITORS 

Smith 
I am prepared to offer you — 

Silas 

You're not prepared to offer me anything I'd consider 
alongside what I am considering. So — I wish you good 
luck in your business undertakings. 

Smith 
orry — you won't let us try to help the town. 

Silas 

Don't sit up nights worrying about my chokin' the 
town. 

Smith 

We could make you a rich man, Mr. Morton. Do 
you think what you have in mind will make you so 
much richer .'' 

Silas 
Much richer. 

Smith 
Well, good-bye. Good day, sir. Good day, ma'am. 

Silas 
[Following him to the door.] Nice horse you've got. 

Smith 

Yes, seems all right. 

[Silas stands in the doorway and looks 
off at the hill. 



INHERITORS 17 

Grandmother 
What are you going to do with the hill, Silas ? 

Silas 

After I get a little glass of wine — ^to celebrate Felix 
and me being here instead of farther south — I'd like to 
tell you what I want for the hill. [To Fejevary rather 
bashfully.'] I've been wanting to tell you. 

Fejevary 
I want to know. 

Silas 

[Getting the wine from the closet.] Just a little 
something to show our gratitude with. 

[Goes off right for glasses. 

Grandmother 

I dunno. Maybe it'd be better tO' sell the hill — ^while 
they're anxious. 

Fejevary 
He seems to have another plan for it. 

Grandmother 

Yes. Well, I hope the other plan does bring him 
something. Silas has worked — ^all the days of his life. 

Fejevary 
I know. 

• Grandmother 

You don't know the hull of it. But I know. [Rather 
to herself. ] Know too well to think about it. 



i8 INHERITORS 

Grandmother 
[As Silas returns.] I'll get more cookies. 

Silas 
I'll get them, mother. 

Grandmother 

Get *em myself. Pity if a woman can't set out her 
own cookies. 

Silas 

[Seeing how hard it is for her.] I wish mother would 
let us do things for her. 

Fejevary 

That strength is a flame frailness can't put out. It's 
a great thing for us to have her, — this touch with the 
life behind us. 

Silas 

Yes. And it's a great thing for us to have you — ^who 
can see those things and say them. What a lot I'd 
'a'missed if I hadn't had what you've seen. 

Fejevary 

Oh, you only think that because you've got to be 
generous. 

Silas 

I'm not generous. I'm seeing something now. Some- 
thing about you. I've been thinking of it a good deal 
lately — it's got something to do with — with the hill. 
I've been thinkin' what it's meant all these years to have 
a family like yours next place to. They did something 
pretty nice for the com belt when they drove you out 



INHERITORS 19 

of Hungary. Funny — ^how things don't end the way 
they begin. I mean, what begins don't end. It's an- 
other thing ends. Set out to do something for your own 
country — and maybe you don't quite do the thing you 
set out to do — 

Fejevary 

No, 

Silas 

But do something for a country a long way off. 

Fejevary 
I'm afraid I've not done much for any country. 

Silas 

[Brusquely.] Where's your left arm — ^may I be so 
bold as to inquire? Though your left arm's nothing 
alongside — what can't be measured. 

Fejevary 

When I think of what I dreamed as a young man — 
it seems to me my life has failed. 

Silas 

[Raising his glass.] Well, if your life's failed — I 
like failure 

[Grandmother Morton returns with her 
cookies. 

Grandmother 

There's two kinds — Mr. Fejevary. These have seeds 
in 'em. 



20 INHERITORS 

Fejevary 
Thank you. I'll try a seed cookie first. 

Silas 

Mother, you'll have a little glass of wine? 

Grandmother 

I don't need wine. 

Silas 

Well, I don't know as we need it. 

Grandmother 

No, I don't know as you do. But I didn't go to war. 

Fejevary 

Then have a little wine to celebrate that. 

Grandmother 

Well, just a mite to warm me up. Not that it's cold. 
[Fejevary brings it to her, and the cookies.'] The 
Indians used to like cookies. I was talking to that 
young whippersnapper about the Indians. One time 
I saw an Indian watching me from a bush. [Points. "] 
Right out there. I was never afraid of Indians when 
you could see the whole of em — ^but when you could 
see nothin' but their bright eyes — movin' through 
leaves — I declare they made me nervous. After he'd 
been there an hour I couldn't seem to put my mind 
on my work. So I thought, Red or White, a man's a 
man — I'll take him some cookies. 

Fejevary 
It succeeded? 



INHERITORS 2i 

Grandmother 

So well that those leaves had eyes next day. But he 
brought me a fish to trade. He was a nice boy. 

Silas 

Probably we killed him. 

Grandmother 

I dunno. Maybe he killed us. Will Owens' family 
was massacred just after this. Like as not my cookie 
Indian helped out there. Something kind of uncertain 
about the Indians. 

Silas 

I guess they found something kind of uncertain about 
us. 

Grandmother 

Six o* one and half a dozen of another. Usually is. 

Silas 

[To Fejevar^y.] I wonder if I'm wrong. You see, I 
never went to school — 

Grandmother 

I don't know why you say that, Silas. There was 
two winters you went to school. 

Silas 

Yes, mother, and I'm glad I did, for I learned to read 
there, and I liked the geography globe. It made the 
earth so nice to think about. And one day the teacher 
told us all about the stars, and I had that to think of 
when I was driving at night. The other boys didn't be- 



22 INHERITORS 

lieve it was so. But I knew it was so! But I mean 
school — the way Mr. Fejevary went to school. He 
went to universities. In his own countries — in other 
countries. All the things men have found out, the 
wisest and finest things men have thought since first 
they began to think — all that was put before him. 

Fejevary 

[JVith a gentle smile.] I fear I left a good deal of it 
untouched. 

Silas 

You took aplenty. Tell in your eyes you've thought 
lots about what's been thought. And that's what I was 
setting out to say. It makes something of men — learn- 
ing. A house that's full of books makes a different kind 
of people. Oh, of course, if the books aren't there just 
to show off. 

Grandmother 
Like in Mary Baldwin's new house. 

Silas 

[Trying hard to see it.] It's not the learning itself — 
it's the life that grows up from learning. Learning's 
like soil. Like — like fertilizer. Get richer. See more. 
Feel more. You believe that ? 

Fejevary 
Culture should do it. 

Silas 

Does in your house. You somehow know how it is 
for the other fellow more 'n we do. 



INHERITORS 23 

Grandmother 

Well, Silas Morton, when you've your wood to chop 
an' your water to carry, when you kill your own cattle 
and hogs, tend your own horses and hens, make your 
butter, soap, and cook for whoever the Lord sends, — ■ 
there's none too many hours of the day left to be polite 
in. 

Silas 

You're right, mother. It had to be that way. But 
now that we buy our soap, — we don't want to say what 
soap-making made us. 

Grandmother 

We're honest. 

Silas 

Yes. In a way. But there's another kind o' honesty, 
seems to me, goes with that more seein' kind of kind- 
ness. Our honesty with the Indians was little to brag 
on. 

Grandmother 

You fret more about the Indians than anybody else 
does. 

Silas 
To look out at that hill sometimes makes me ashamed. 

Grandmother 

Land sakes, you didn't do it. It was the government. 
And what a government does is nothing for a person 
to be ashamed of. 



24 INHERITORS 

Silas 

I don't know about that. Why is he here ? Why is 
Felix Fejevary not rich and grand in Hungary today? 
'Cause he was ashamed of what his government was. 

Grandmother 

Well, that was a foreign government. 

Silas 

A seeing how 'tis for the other person — a hein' that 
other person, kind of honesty. Joke of it, 'twould do 
something for you. 'Twould 'a done something for us 
to have been Indians a little more. My father used to 
talk about Blackhawk — they was friends. I saw Black- 
hawk once — when I was a boy. [To Fejevary.] 
Guess I told you. You know what he looked like? He 
looked like the great of the earth. Noble. Noble like 
the forests — and the Mississippi — and the stars. His 
face was long and thin and you could see the bones and 
the bones were beautiful. Looked like something that's 
never been caught. He was something many nights in 
his canoe had made him. Sometimes I feel that the land 
itself has got a mind and that the land would rather 
have had the Indians. 

Grandmother 

Well don't let folks hear you say it. They'd think 
you was plum crazy^ 

Silas 

T s'pose they would. [Turning to Fejevary.] But 
after you've walked a long time over the earth — and 
you all alone, didn't you ever feel something coming up 
from it that's like thought ? 



INHERITORS 25 

Fejevary 
I'm afraid I never did. But — I wish I had. 

Silas 
I love land — ^this land. I suppose that's why I never 
have the feeling that I own it. 

Grandmother 
If you don't own it — I want to know ! What do you 
think we come here for — your father and me? What 
do you think we left our folks for — left the world of 
white folks — schools and stores and doctors and set out 
in a covered wagon for we didn't know what ? We lost 
a horse. Lost our way — ^weeks longer than we thought 
'twould be. You were bom in that covered wagon. 
You know that. But what you don't know is what 
that's like — without your own roof — or fire — without — 

[She turns her face away. 

Silas 
No. No, mother, of course not. Now — now isn't 
this too bad ? I don't say things right. It's because I 
never went to school. 

Grandmother 

[Her face shielded.] You went to school two 
winters. 

Silas 
Yes. Yes, mother. So I did. And I'm glad I did. 

Grandmother 
[With the determination of one who will not have her 
own pain looked at.] Mrs. Fejevary's pansy bed doing 
well this siunmer ? 



26 INHERITORS 

Fejevary 

It's beautiful this summer. She was so pleased with 
the new purple kind you gave her. I do wish you could 
get over and see them. 

Grandmother 

Yes. Well, I've seen lots of pansies. Suppose it was 
pretty fine-sounding speeches they had in town ? 

Fejevary 
Too fine sounding to seem much like the wair. 

Silas 

I'd like to go to a war celebration where they never 

mentioned war. There'd be a way to celebrate victory. 

[Hearing a step, looking out.] Mother, here's Felix. 

[Felix, a well-dressed young man comes 

in. 

Grandmother 
How do, Felix ? 

Felix 
And how do you do, Grandmother Morton ? 

Grandmother 
Well, I'm still here. 

Felix 

Of course you are. It wouldn't be coming home if 
you weren't. 



INHERITORS 27 

Grandmother 

I've got some cookies for you, Felix. I set 'em out, 
so you wouldn't have to steal them. John and Felix 
was hard on the cookie jar. 

Felix 

Where is John? 

Silas 

[ Who is pouring a glass of wine for Felix. ] You've 
not seen John yet ? He was in town for the exercises. 
I bet those young devils ran off to the race-track. I 
heard whisperin' goin' round. But everybody'U be 
home sometime. Mary and the girls^ — don't ask me 
where they are. They'll drive old Bess all over the 
county before they drive her to the barn. Your father 
and I come on home 'cause I wanted to have a talk 
with him. 

Felix 

Getting into the old uniforms makes you want to talk 
it all over again ? 

Silas 

The war ? Well, we did do that. But all that makes 
me want to talk about what's to come, about — what 
'twas all for. Great things are to come, Felix. And be- 
fore you are through. 

Felix 

I've been thinking about them myself — walking 
around the town today. It's grown so much this year, 
and in a way that means more growing — that big 



28 INHERITORS 

glocuse plant going up down the river, the new lumber 
mill — all that means many more people. 

Fejevary 
And they've even bought ground for a steel works. 

Silas 

Yes, a city will rise from these cornfields^ — a big rich 
place — that's bound to be. It's written in the lay o' the 
land and the way the river flows. But first tell us about 
Harvard College, Felix. Ain't it a fine thing for us all 
to have Felix coming home from that wonderful place ! 

Felix 
You make it seem wonderful. 

Silas 

Ah, you know It's wonderful — ^know it so well you 
don't have to say it. It's something you've got. But to 
me it's wonderful the way the stars are wonderful — 
this place where all that the world has learned is to be 
drawn from like — like a spring. 

Felix 

You almost say what Matthew Arnold says — a dis- 
tinguished new English writer who speaks of: "The 
best that has been thought and said in the world." 

Silas 

"The best that has been thought and said in the 
world!" [Slowly rising, and as if the dream of years 
is bringing him to his feet.] That's what that hill is 
for! [Pointing.] Don't you see it ? End of our trail. 



INHERITORS 29 

we climb a hill and plant a college. Plant a college, so's 
after we are gone that college says for us, says in people 
learning has made more: "This is why we took this 
land!" 

Grandmother 

[Incredulous.] You mean, Silas, you're going to 
give the hill away? 

Silas 

The hill at the end of our trail — ^how could we keep 
that? 

Grandmother 

Well I want to know why not ! Hill or level — land's 
land and not a thing you give away. 

Silas 

Well, don't scold me. I'm not giving it away. It's 
giving itself away, get down to it. 

Grandmother 
Don't talk to me as if I was feeble-minded. 

Silas 

I'm talking with all the mind I've got. If there's not 
mind in what I say, it's because I've got no mind. But 
I have got a mind. \To Fejevary, humorously.] 
Haven't I ? You ought to know. Seeing as you gave it 
tome. 

Fejevary 
Ah no— I didn't give it to you. 



30 INHERITORS 

Silas 

Well, you made me know 'twas there. You said 
things that woke things in me and I thought about them 
as I ploughed. And that made me know there had to be 
a college there — wake things in minds — so ploughin's 
more than ploughing. What do you say, Felix ? 

Felix 

It — it's a big idea, Uncle Silas. I love the way you 
put it. It's only that I'm wondering — 

Silas 

Wondering how it can ever be a Harvard College? 
Well it can't. And it needn't be. [Stubbornly.] It's a 
college in the cornfields — where the Indian maize once 
grew. And it's for the boys of the cornfields — ^and the 
girls. There's few can go to Harvard College^ — ^but 
more can climb that hill. [Turn of the head from the 
hill to Felix.] Harvard on a hill? [As Felix smiles 
no, Silas turns back to the hill.] A college should be 
on a hill. They can see it then from far around. See 
it as they go out to the barn in the morning ; see it when 
they're shutting up at night. 'Twill make a difference — 
even to them that never go. 

Grandmother 

Now, Silas — don't be hasty. 

Silas 

Hasty ? It's been company to me for years. Came 
to me one night — must 'a' been ten years ago — ^middle 
of a starry night as I was comin' home from your place. 
[To Fejevary.] I'd gone over to lend a hand with a 
sick horse an' — 



INHERITORS 31 

Fejevary 
\W%th a grateful smile.] That was nofthing new. 

Silas 
Well, say, I'd sit up with a sick horse that belonged 
to the meanest man unhung. But — ^there were stars 
that night had never been there before. Leastways I'd 
not seen 'em. And the hill — Felix, in all your travels 
east, did you ever see anything more beautiful than 
that hill? 

Felix 

It's like sculpture. 

Silas 

Hm. [The wist fulness with which he speaks of that 
outside his knowledge.'] I s'pose 'tis. It's the way it 
rises — somehow — as if it knew it rose from wide and 
fertile lands. I climbed the hill that night, [To. 
Fejevary.] You'd been talkin'. As we waited be- 
tween medicines you told me about your life as a young 
man. All you'd lived through seemed to — open up to 
you that night — way things do at times. Guess it was 
'cause you thought you was goin' to lose your horse. 
See, that was Colonel, the sorrel, wasn't it ? 

Fejevary 
Yes. Good old Colonel. 

Silas 

You'd had a long run o' off luck. Hadn't got things 
back in shape since the war. But say, you didn't lose 
him, did you ? 



32 INHERITORS 

Fejevary 
Thanks to you. 

Silas 
Thanks to the medicine I keep in the back kitchen. 

Fejevary 
You encouraged him. 

Grandmother 
Silas has a way with all the beasts. 

Silas 

We've got the same kind of minds — the beasts and 
me. 

Grandmother 

Silas, I wish you wouldn't talk like that — and with 
Felix just home frprai Harvard College. 

Silas 

Same kind of minds — except that mine goes on a 
little farther. 

Grandmother 
Well, I'm glad to hear you say that. 

Silas 

Well, there we sat — ^you an' me — ^middle of a starry 
night, out beside your barn. And I guess it came over 
you kind of funny you should be there with me — way 
off the Mississippi, tryin' to save a sick horse. Seemed 
to — ^bring your life to life again. You told me what 
you studied in that fine old university you loved — ^in 



INHERITORS 33 

Vienna, — and why you became a revolutionist. The 
old dreams took hold o' you and you talked — way you 
used to, I suppose. The years, o'course, had rubbed 
some of it off. Your face as you went on about the 
vision — ^you called it, vision of what life could be. I 
knew that night there was things I had never got wind 
of. When I went away — knew I ought to go home to 
bed — hayin' at daybreak. "Go to bed?" I said to my- 
self. "Strike this dead when you've never had it before, 
may never have it again ?" I climbed the hill. Black- 
hawk was there. 

Grandmother 

Why he was dead. 

Silas 

He was there — on his own old hill, with me and the 
stars. And I said to him — 

Grandmother 

Silas ! 

Silas 

Says I to him, "Yes — that's true ; it's more yours than 
mine, you had it first and loved it best. But it's neither 
yours nor mine, — though both yours and mine. Not 
my hill, not your hill, but — hill of vision, said I to him. 
Here shall come visions of a better world than was ever 
seen by you or me, old Indian chief. Oh, I was drunk, 
plum drunk. 

Grandmother 

I should think you was. And what about the next 
day's hay ? 



34 INHERITORS 

Silas 

A day In the hayfield is a day's hayin' — ^but a night 
on the hill — 

Felix 
We don't have them often, do we. Uncle Silas ? 

Silas 

I wouldn't 'a had that one but for your father, FeUx. 
Thank God they drove you out o' Hungary ! And it's 
all so dog-gone queer. Ain't it queer how things blow 
from mind to mind — like seeds. Lord A'mighty — ^you 
don't know where they'll take hold. 

{^Children's voices off. 

Grandmother 

There come those children up from the creek — 
soppin' wet, I warrant. Well, I don't know how chil- 
dren ever get raised. But we raise more of 'em than we 
used to. I buried three — first ten years I was here. 
Needn't 'a happened — if we'd known what we know 
now, and if we hadn't been alone. [With all her 
strength.] I don't know what you mean — ^the hill's not 
yours ! 

Silas 

It's the future's, mother — so's we can know more 
than we know now. 

Grandmother 

We know it now. 'Twas then we didn't know it. I 
worked for that hill ! And I tell you to leave it to your 
own children. 



INHERITORS 35 

Silas 

There's other land for my own cliildren. This is for 
all the children. 

Grandmother 
What's all the children to you ? 

Silas 

[Derisively.] Oh, mother — what a thing for you td 
say! You who were never too tired to give up your 
own bed so the stranger could have a better bed. 

Grandmother 
That was different. They was folks on their way. 

Fejevary 

Sd are we. 

[Silas turns to him with quick apprecia- 
tion. 

Grandmother 

That's just talk. We're settled now. Children of 
other old settlers are getting rich. I should think you'd 
want yours to. 

Silas 

I want other things more. I want to pay my debts 
'fore I'm too old to know they're debts. * 

Grandmother 

[Momentarily startled.] Debts? Huh! More talk. 
You don't owe any man. 



36 INHERITORS 

Silas 

I owe him. [Nodding to Fejevary.] And the red 
boys here before me. 

GrandmotSeer 
Fiddlesticks. 

Felix 
You haven't read Darwin, have you, Uncle Silas? 

Silas 

Who? 

Felix 

Darwin, the great new man — and his theory of the 
survival of the fittest ? 

Silas 
No. No, I don't know things like that, Felix. 

Felix 

I think he might make you feel better about the 
Indians. In the struggle for existence, many must go 
down. The fittest survive. This — had to be. 

Silas 

Us and the Indians ? Guess I don't know what you 
mean — fittest. 

Felix 

He calls it that. Best fitted to the place In which 
one finds one's self, having the qualities that can best 
cope with conditions — do things. From the beginning 
of life it's been like that. He shows the growth of life 



INHERITORS 37 

from forms that were barely alive, the lowest animal 
forms — ^jellyfish — up to man. 

Silas 

Oh, yes, that's the thing the churches are so upset 
about — that we come from monkeys. 

Felix 
Yes. One family of ape is the direct ancestor of man. 

Grandmother 
You'd better read your Bible, Felix. 

Silas 
Do people believe this? 

Felix 

The whole intellectual world is at war about it. The 
best scientists accept it. Teachers are losing their posi- 
tions for believing it. Of course, ministers can't be- 
lieve it. 

Grandmother 

I should think not. Anyway, what's the use believing 
a thing that's so discouraging? 

Fejevary 

[Gently.] But is it that? It almost seems to me we 
have to accept it because it is so encouraging. [Holding 
out his hand.] Why have we hands ? 

Grandmother 
Cause God gave them to us, I s'pose. 



38 INHERITORS 

Fejevary 

But that's rather general, and there isn't much in it 
to give us self-confidence. But when you think we have 
hands because ages back — before life had taken form as 
man, there was an impulse to do what had never been 
done — when you think that we have hands today be- 
cause from the first of life there have been adventurers 
— those of best brain and courage who wanted to be 
more than life had been, and that from aspiration has 
come doing, and doing has shaped the thing with 
which to do — it gives our hand a history which should 
make us want to use it well. 

Silas 

[Breathed from deep.] Well, by God ! And you've 
known this all this while ! Dog-gone you — why didn't 
you tell me ? 

Fejevary 

I've been thinking about it. I haven't known what to 
believe. This hurts — beliefs of earlier years. 

Felix 

The things it hurts will have to go. 

Fejevary 

I don't know about that, Felix. Perhaps in time we'll 
find truth in them. 

Felix 

Oh, if you feel that way, father. 

Fejevary 

Don't be kind to me, my boy, I'm not that old. 



INHERITORS 39 

Silas 

But think what it is you've said ! If it's true that we 
fnade ourselves — ^made ourselves out of the wanting 
to be more — created ourselves you might say, by our 
own courage — our — what is it? — aspiration. Why, I 
can't take it in. I haven't got the mind to take it in. 
And what mind I have got says no. It's too — 

Fejevary 

It fights with what's there. 

Silas 

[N adding. '[ But it's like I got this [very slowly] 
other way around. From underneath. As if I'd known 
it all along — but have just found out I know it! Yes. 
The earth told me. The beasts told me. 

Grandmother 

Fine place to learn things from. 

Silas 

Anyhow, haven't I seen it? [To Fejevary.] In 
your face haven't I seen thinking make a finer face ? 
How long has this taken Felix to — well, you might say, 
bring us where we are now ? 

Felix 

Oh, we don't know how many millions of years since 
earth first stirred. 

Silas 

Then we are what we are because through all that 
time there've been them that wanted to be more than 
life had been. 



40 INHERITORS 

Felix 
That's it, Uncle Silas. 

Silas 
But — ^why, then we aren't finished yet ! 

Fejevary 
No. We take it on from here. 

Silas 

[Slowly.] Then if we don't be — the most we can be, 
if we don't be more than life has been, we go back on 
all that life behind us ; go back on — ^the — 

[Unable to formulate it, he looks to 
Fejevary. 

Fejevary 

Go back on the dreaming and the daring of a million 
years. 

[After a momenfs pause Silas gets up, 
opens the closet door. 

Grandmother 

Silas, what you doing? 

Silas 

[Who has taken out a box.] I'm lookin* for the 
deed to the hill. 

Grandmother 

What you going to do with it ? 

Silas 
I'm goin' to get it out of my hands. 



INHERITORS 41 

Grandmother 

Get it out of your hands ? [He has it now. j Deed 
your father got from the government the very year the 
government got it from the Indians? [Rising.] 
Give me that! [She turns to Fejevary.] Tell him 
he's crazy. We got the best land 'cause we was first 
here. We got a right to keep it. 

Fejevary 

[^Going soothingly to her.] It's true, Silas, it is a 
serious thing to give away one's land. 

Silas 

You ought to know. You did it. Are you sorry you 
did it? 

Fejevary 
No. But wasn't that different? 

Silas 

How was it different? Yours was a fight to make 
life more, wasn't it ? Well, let this be our way. 

Grandmother 

What's all that got to do with giving up the land that 
should provide for your own children? 

Silas 

Isn't it providing for them to give them a better world 
to live in ? Felix — ^you're young, I ask you, ain't it pro- 
viding for them to give them a chance to be more than 
we are ? 



42 INHERITORS 

Felix 

I think you're entirely right, Uncle Silas. But it's the 
practical question that — 

Silas 

If you're right, the practical question is just a thing 
to fix up. 

Fejevary 

I fear you don't realize the immense amount of money 
required to finance a college. The land would be a 
start. You would have to interest rich men ; you'd have 
to have a community in sympathy with the thing you 
wanted to do. 

Grandmother 
Can't you see, Silas, that we're all against you? 

Silas 

All against me ? [To Fejevary.] But how can you 
be? Look at the land we walked in and took! 
Was there ever such a chance to make life more? 
Why the buffalo here before us was more than we if we 
do nothing but prosper! God damn us if we sit here 
rich and fat and forget man's in the makin'. [Affirming 
against this.] There will one day be a college in these 
cornfields by the Mississippi because long ago a great 
dream was fought for in Hungary. And I say to that 
old dream, Wake up, old dream ! Wake up and fight ! 
You say rich men. [Holding if out, but it is not taken.] 

I give you this deed to take to rich men to show them 
one man believes enough In this to give the best land 
he's got. That ought to make rich men stop and think. 



INHERITORS 43 

Grandmother 
Stop and think he's a fool. 

Silas 
[To Fejevary.] It's you can make them know he's 
not a fool. When you tell this way you can tell it, 
they'll feel in you what's more than them. They'll 
listen. 

Grandmother 

I tell you, Silas, folks are too busy. 

Silas 

"Too busy!" Too busy bein' nothin' ? If it's true that 
we created ourselves out of the thoughts that came, then 
thought is not something outside the business of life. 
Thought — [tvith his gift for wonder] why thought's 
our chance. I know now. Why I can't forget the 
Indians, We killed their joy before we killed them. 
We made them less. [To Fejevary, and as if sure he 
is now making it clear.] 1 got to give it back — ^their 
hill. I give it back to joy — a better joy — joy o' aspira- 
tion. 

Fejevary 

[Moved but unconvinced.] But, my friend, there are 
men who have no aspiration. That's why, to me, this 
is as a light shining from too far. 

Grandmother 
[ Old things waked in her. ] Light shining from far. 
We used to do that. We never pulled the curtains. 
I used to want to — you like to be to yourself when night 
comes — but we always left a lighted window for the 
traveler who'd lost his way. 



44 INHERITORS 

Felix 

I should think that would have exposed you to the 
Indians. 

Grandmother 

Yes. [Impatiently. ] Well, you can't put out a light 
Just because it may light the wrong person. 

Fejevary 

No. [And this is as a light to him>. He turns to the 
hill.] No. 

Silas 

[With gentleness, and profoundly.] That's it. Look 
again. Maybe your eyes are stronger now. Don't you 
see it? I see that college rising as from the soil itself, 
as if it was what come at the last of that thinking that 
breathes from the earth. I see it — ^but I want to know 
it's real before I stop knowing. Then maybe I can lie 
under the same sod with the red boys and not be 
ashamed. We're not old ! Let's fight ! Wake in other 
men what you woke in me ! 

Fejevary 

And so could I pay my debt to America. 

[His hand goes out. 

Silas 

[Giving him the deed.] And to the dreams of a mil- 
lion years ! 

[Standing near the open door their hands 
are gripped in compact. 



(Curtain) 



ACT TWO 

Scene: A corridor in the library of Morton Col- 
lege, October of the year 1920, upon the occasion of the 
fortieth anniversary of its founding. This is an open 
place in the stacks of books, which are seen at both 
sides. There is a reading table before the big rear 
window. This window opens out, but does not 
extend to the floor; only a part of its height is seen, 
indicating a very high window. Outside is seen the 
top of a tree. 

This outer wall of the building is on a slant, so that 
the entrance right is rear, and the left is front. Right 
front is a section of a huge square column. On the 
rear of this, facing the window, is hung a picture of 
Silas Morton. Two men are standing before this 
portrait. 

Senator Lewis is the middle-western state senator. 
He is not of the city from which Morton College rises, 
but of a more country community farther in-state. 
Felix Fejevary, now nearing the age of his father in 
the first act, is an American of the more sophisticated 
type — prosperous, having the poise of success in affairs 
and place in society. 

Senator 
And this was the boy who founded the place, eh? It 
was his idea? 

45 



46 INHERITORS 

Fejevary 
Yes, and his hill. I was there the afternoon he told 
my father there must be a college here. I wasn't any 
older then than my boy is now. 

[As if himself surprised by this. 

Senator 

Well, he enlisted a good man when he let you in on 
it. I've been told the college wouldn't be what it is 
today but for you, Mr. Fejevary. 

Fejevary 

I have a sentiment about it, and where our sentiment 
is, there our work goes also. 

Senator 

Yes. Well, it was those mainsprings of sentiment 
that won the war. 

[He is pleased with this. 

Fejevary 

[Nodding.] Morton College did her part in winning 
the war. 

Senator 

I know. A fine showing. 

Fejevary, 

And we're holding up our end right along. You'll see 
the boys drill this afternoon. It's a great place for 
them, here on the hill — shows up from so far around. 
They're a fine lot of fellows. You know, I presume, 
that they went in as strike-breakers during the trouble 
down here at the steel works. The plant would have 



INHERITORS 47 

had to close but for Morton College. That's one reason 
I venture to propose this thing of a state appropriation 
for enlargement. Why don't we sit down a moment? 
There's no conflict with the state imiversity — ^they have 
their territory, we have ours. Ours is an important one 
— industrially speaking. The state will lose nothing in 
having a good strong college here — a one-hundred-per- 
cent-American college. 

Senator 
I admit I am very favorably impressed. 

Fejevary 

I hope you'll tell your committee so — and let Ime 
have a chance to talk to them. 

Senator 
Let's see, haven't you a pretty radical man here? 

Fejevary 
I wonder if you mean Holden ? 

Senator 
Holden's the man. I've read things that make me 
question his Americanism. 

Fejevary 

Oh — [Gesture of depreciation.] 1 don't think he is 
so much a radical as a particularly human human- 
being. 

Senator 

But we don't want radical human beings. 



48 INHERITORS 

Fejevary 

He has a genuine sympathy with youth. That's in- 
valuable in a teacher, you know. And then — he's a 
scholar. 

[He betrays here, his feeling of superi- 
ority to his companion, but too subtly 
for his companion to get. it. 

Senator 

Oh — scholar. We can get scholars: enough. What 
we want is Americans. 

Fejevari 
Americans who are scholars. 

Senator 

You can pick 'em off every bush — ^pay them a little 
more than they're paid in some other cheap John Col- 
lege. Excuse me — I don't mean this is a cheap John 
College. 

Fejevary 

Of course not. One couldn't think that of Morton 
College. But that — pay them a little more, interests me. 
That's another reason I want to talk to your committee 
on appropriations. We claim to value education and 
then we let highly trained, gifted men fall behind the 
plumber. 

Senator 

Well, that's the plumber's fault. Let the teachers 
talk to the plumber. 



INHERITORS 49 

Fejevary 

[With a smile.] No. Better not let them talk to the 
plumber. He might tell them what to do about it. In 
fact, is telling them. 

Senator 

That's ridiculous. They can't serve both God and 
mammon. 

Fejevary 

Then let God give them mammon. I mean, let the 
state appropriate. 

Senator 

Of course this state, Mr. Fejevary, appropriates no 
money for radicals. Excuse me, but why do you keep 
this man Holden ? 

Fejevary 

In the scholar's world we're known because of him. 
And really, Holden's not a radical — in the worst sense. 
What he doesn't see is — expediency. Not enough the 
man of affairs to realize that we can't always have liter- 
ally what we have theoretically. He's an idealist. 
Something of the — ^man of vision. 

Senator 

If he had the right vision he'd see that we don't every 
minute have literally what we have theoretically be- 
cause we're fighting to keep the thing we have. Oh, I 
sometimes think the man of affairs has the only vision. 
Take you, Mr. Fejevary — a banker. These teachers — 
books — ^books! [Pushing all book^ hack.] Why, if 



50 INHERITORS 

they had to take for one day the responsibility that falls 
on your shoulders — ^big decisions to make — ^man among 
men — ^and all the time worries, irritations, particularly 
now with labor riding the high horse like a fool! 
I know something about these things. I went to the 
State House because my community persuaded me it 
was my duty. But I'm the man of affairs, myself. 

Fejevary 

Oh yes, I know. Your company did much to develop 
that whole northern part of the state. 

Senator 

I think I may say we did. Well, that's why, after 
three sessions, I'm chairman of the appropriations com- 
mittee. I know how to use money to promote the state. 
So — ^teacher? That would be a perpetual vacation to 
me. Now, if you want my advice, Mr. Fejevary, — I 
think your case before the state would be stronger if 
you let this fellow Holden go. 

Fejevary 
I'm going to have a talk with Professor Holden. 

Senator - 

Tell him it's for his own good. The idea of a col- 
lege professor standing up for conscientious objectors! 

Fejevary 

That doesn't quite state the case. Fred Jordan was 
one of Holden's students — a student he valued. He 
felt Jordan was perfectly sincere in his objection. 



INHERITORS 51 

Senator 

Sincere In his objections ! The nerve of him think- 
ing it was his business to be sincere ! 

Fejevary 

He was expelled from college — ^you may remember ; 
that was how we felt about it. 

Senator 

I should hope so. 

Fejevary 

Holden fought that, but within the college. What 
brought him into the papers was his protest against 
the way the boy has been treated in prison. 

Senator 

What's the difference how he's treated? You know 
how I'd treat him? [A movement as though pulling a 
trigger.] If I didn't know you for the American you 
are, I wouldn't understand your speaking so calmly. 

Fejevary 
I'm simply trying to see it all sides around. 

Senator 
Makes me see red. 

Fejevary 
[With a smile.] But we mustn't meet red with red. 

Senator 

What's Holden fussing about — that they don't give 
him caviar on toast ? 



52 INHERITORS 

Fejevary 

That they didn't give him books. Holden felt it was 
his business to fuss about that. 

Senator 

Well, when your own boy 'stead of whining around 
about his conscience, stood up and offered his life ! 

Fejevary 

Yes. And my nephew gave his life. 

Senator 

" That so? 

Fejevary 

Silas Morton's grandson died in France. My sister 
Madeline married Ira Morton, son of Silas Morton. 

Senator 

I knew there was a family connection betweoi you 
and the Mortons. 

Fejevary 

[Speaking with reserve.] They played together as 
children and married as soon as they were grown up. 

Senator 

So this was your sister's boy? [Fejevary nods.] 
One of the mothers to give her son ! 

Fejevary 

[Speaking of her with effort.] My sister died — 
long ago. [Pulled to an old feeling; with an effort re- 
leasing himself.] But Ira is still out at the old place — 



INHERITORS 53 

place the Morton's took up when they reached the end 
■of their trail — as Uncle Silas used to put it. Why, it's 
a hundred years ago that Grandmother Morton began — ■ 
making cookies here. She was the first white woman 
in this county. 

Senator 

Proud woman ! To have begun the life of this state ! 
Oh, our pioneers ! If they could only see us now, and 
know what they did ! [Fejevary is silent; he does not 
look quite happy.] I suppose Silas Morton's son is 
active in the college management. 

Fejevary 

No, Ira is not a social being. Fred's death about 
finished him He had been — strange for years, ever 
since my sister died — when the children were little. It 
was — [again pulled back to that old feeling'] under 
pretty terrible circumstances. 

Senator 

I can see that you thought a great deal of your sister, 
Mr. Fejevary. 

Fejevary 

Oh, she was beautiful and — [bitterly] it shouldn't 
have gone like that. 

Senator 

Seems to me I've heard something about Silas Mor- 
ton's son — though perhaps it wasn't this one. 

Fejevary 

Ira Is the only one living here now ; the others have 
gone farther west. 



54 INHERITORS 

Senator 
Isn't there something about corn? 

Fejevary 

Yes. His corn has several years taken the prize — 
best in the state. He's experimented with it — created 
a new kind. They've given it his name — Morton com. 
It seems com is rather fascinating to work with — ^very 
mutablei stuff. It's a good thing Ira has it, for it's 
about the only thing he does care for now. Oh, Made- 
line, of course. He has a daughter here in the college — 
Madeline Morton, senior this year — one of our best 
students. I'd like to have you meet Madeline — she's 
a great girl, though — ^peculiar. 

Senator 

Well, that makes a girl interesting, if she isn't pecu- 
liar the wrong way. Sounds as if her home life might 
make her a little peculiar. 

Fejevary 

Madeline stays here in town with us a good part of 
the time. Mrs. Fejevary is devoted to her — we all are. 
[A boy starts to come through from right.'] Hello, 
see who's here. This is my boy. Horace, this is 
Senator Lewis, who is interested in the college. 

Horace 
{Shaking hands.] How do you do, Senator Lewis? 

Senator 
Pleased to see you, my boy. 



INHERITORS 55 

Horace 
Am I butting in? 

Fejevary 

Not seriously ; but what are you doing in the library? 
I thought this was a day off, 

Horace 

I'm looking for a book. 

Fejevary 

[Affectionately bantering.] You are, Horace ? Now 
how does that happen ? 

Horace 
I want the speeches of Abraham Lincoln. 

Senator 
You couldn't do better. 

Horace 
I'll show those dirty dagoes where they get off! 

Fejevary 
You couldn't show them! a little more elegantly? 

Horace 
I'm going to sick the Legion on 'em. 

Fejevary 
Are you talking about the Hindus ? 

Horace 
Yes, the dirty dagoes. 



56 INHERITORS 

Fejevary 
Hindus aren't dagoes you know, Horace. 

Horace 

Well, what's the difference? This foreign element 
gets my goat. 

Senator 

My boy, you talk like an American. But what do you 
mean — Hindus ? 

Fejevary 

There are two young Hindus here as students. And 
they're good students. 

Horace 

Sissies. 

Fejevary 

But they must preach the gospel of free India — non- 
British India. 

Senator 

Oh, that won't do. 

Horace 

They're nothing but Reds, I'll say. Well, one of 'em's 
going back to get his. 

[Grins. 

Fejevary 

There were three of them last year. One of them is 
wanted back home. 



INHERITORS 57 

Senator 

I remember now. He's to be deported. 

Horace 

And when they get him — [Movement as of pulling 
a rope.] They hang there. 

Fejevary 

The other two protest against our not fighting the 
deportation of their comrade. They insist it means 
death to him. [Brushing off a thing that is inclined 
to worry him.] But we can't handle India's aifairs. 

Senator 

I should think not ! 

Horace 

Why, England's our ally ! That's what I told them. 
But you can't argue with people like that. Just wait 
till I find the speeches of Abraham Lincoln ! 

[Passes through to left. 

Senator 
Fine boy you have, Mr. Fejevary. 

Fejevary 

He's a, live one. You should see him in a football 
game. Wouldn't hurt my feelings in the least to have 
him a little more of a student, but — 

. Senator 

Oh, well, you want him to be a regular fellow, don't 
you, and grow into a man among men? 



58 INHERITORS 

Fejevary 

He'll do that, I think. It was hei who organized our 
boys for the steel strike — went right in himself and 
took a striker's job. He came home with a black eye 
one night, presented to him by a picket who started 
something by calling him a scab. But Horace wasn't 
thinking about his eye. According tO' him, it was not in 
the class with the striker's upper lip. "Father," he 
said, "1 gave him' more red than he could swallow. The 
blood just — " Well, I'll spare you — ^but Horace's 
muscle is one hundred per cent American. [Going to 
the window.] Let me show you something. You can 
see the old, Morton place off on that first little hill. 
[Pointing left.] The first rise beyond the valley. 

Senator 

The long low house? 

Fejevary 

That's it. You see the town for the most part swung 
around the other side of the hill, so the Morton place 
is still a farm. 

Senator 

But you're growing all the while. The town'll take 
the cornfield yet. 

Fejevary 
Yes, our steel works is making us a city. 

Senator 

And this old boy [turning to the portrait of Silas 
Morton] can look out on his old home — and watch the 
valley grow. 



INHERITORS 59 

Fejevary 

Yes — that was my idea. His picture really should be 

in Memorial Hall, but I thought Uncle Silas would like 

to be up here among the books, and facing the old place. 

[With a laugh.] I confess to being a little sentimental. 

Senator 
We Americans have lots of sentiment, Mr. Fejevary. 
It's what makes us — what we are. [Fejevary does not 
speak; there are times when the senator seems to 
trouble him.] Well, this is a great site for a college. 
You can see it from the whole country round. 

Fejevary 

Yes, that was Uncle Silas' idea. He had a reverence 
for education. It grew, in part, out of his feeling for 
my father. He was a poet — really. Uncle Silas. [Look- 
ing at the picture. ] He gave this hill for a college that 
we might become a deeper, more sensitive people — 

[Two girls, convulsed with the giggles, 
come tumbling in. 

Doris 
[Confused.] Oh — oh, excuse us. 

FUSSIE 

[Foolishly.] We didn't know anybody was here. 
[Mr. Fejevary looks at them sternly. 
The girls retreat. 

Senator 
[Laughing.] Oh, well, girls will be girls. I've got 
three of my own. 

[Horace come hack, carrying ctn open 
hook. 



6o INHERITORS 

Horace 
Say, this must be a misprint, 

Fejevary 

[Glancing at the hack of the book.] Oh, I think 
not. 

Horace 

From his first inaugural address to Congress, 
March 4, 1861. [Reads.] "This coimtry with its 
mstitutions belongs to the people who inhabit it." 
Well, that's all right, "Whenever they shall grow 
weary of the existing government, they can exercise 
their constitutional right of amending it," — [after 
a brief consideration] 1 suppose that that's all right — 
but listen ! "or their revolutionary right to dismember 
or overthrow it." 

Fejevary 

He was speaking In another age. An age of different 
values. 

Senator 

Terms change their significance from generation to 
generation. 

Horace 

Isuppose they do — ^but that puts me in bad with these 
lice. They quoted this and I said they were liars. 

Senator 

And what's the idea? They're weary of our existing 
government and are about to dismember or overthrow 
it? 



INHERITORS 6i 

Horace 
I guess that's the dope. 

Fejevary 

Look here, Horace — speak accurately. Was it in re- 
lation to America they quoted this ? 

Horace 

Well, maybe they were talking about India then. But 
they were standing up for being revolutionists. We 
were giving them an earful about it, and then they 
sprung Lincoln on us. Got their nerve — I'll say — quot- 
ing Lincoln to us. 

Senator 

The fact that they are quoting it shows it's being mis- 
applied. 

Horace 

[Approvingly.] I'll tell them that. But gee — Lin- 
coln oughta been more careful what he said. Igno- 
rant people don't know how to take such things. 

[Goes back with book. 

Fejevary 

Want to take a look through the rest of the library ? 
We haven't been up this way yet — [Motioning left.] 
We need a better scientific library, [They are 
leaving now.] Oh, we simply must have more money. 
The' whole thing is fairly bursting its shell. 

Doris 

[Venturing in cautiously, from the other side, look- 
ing back, beckoning.] They've gone. 



62 INHERITORS 

FussiE 
Sure? 

Doris 

Well, are they here? And I saw them, I tell you — 
they went up to science. 

FussiE 

[Moving the Senator's hat on the table.] But 
they'll come back. 

Doris 

What if they do? We're only looking at a book. 
[Running her hand along the books] Matthew Arnold. 
[Takes a paper from Fussie, puts it in 
the book. They are bent with gig- 
gling as Horace returns. 

Horace 

For the love o' Pete, what's the joke? [Taking the 
book from the helpless girl.] Matthew Arnold. My 
idea of nowhere to go for a laugh. When I wrote my 
theme on him last week he was so dry I had to go out 
and get a Morton Sundee. [The girls are freshly at- 
tacked, though all of this in a subdued way, mindful of 
others in the library.] Say, how'd you get that way? 

Doris 
Now, Horace, don't you tell. 

Horace 

What'd I tell, except — [seeing the paper] Um hum 
— what's this ? 



INHERITORS 63 

Doris 

[Trying to get it from him.] Horace, now don't you. 
[A tussle.] You great strong mean thing! Fussie! 
Make him stop. 

[She gets the paper by tearing it. 

Horace 

My dad's around here — showing the college off to a 
politician. If you don't come across with that sheet of 
mystery, I'll back you both out there [starts to do it] 
and — 

Doris 

Horace! You're Just horrid. 

Horace 

Sure I'm horrid. That's the way I want to be. 
[Takes the paper, reads.] "To Eben 
You are the idol of my dreams 
I worship from afar." 
What is this ? 

Fussie 

Now, listen, Horace, and don't you tell. You know 
Eben Weeks. He's the homeliest man in school. 
Wouldn't you say so ? 

Horace 
Awful jay. Like to get some of the jays out of here. 

Doris 

But listen. Of course, no girl would look at him. 
So we've thought up the most killing joke. [Stopped 
by giggles from herself and Fussie.] Now, he hasn't 



64 INHERITORS 

handed in his Matthew Arnold dope. I heard old Mac 
hold him up for it — and what'd you think he said? 
That he'd been ploughing. Said he was trying to run 
a farm and go to college at the same time ! Isn't it a 
scream f 

Horace 

We oughta — ^make it more unpleasant for some of 
those jays. Gives the school a bad name. 

FUSSIE 

But, listen, Horace, honest — ^you'll just die. He said 
he was going to get the book this afternoon. Now 
you know what he looks like, but he turns to — 

[Both girls are convulsed. 

Doris 
It'll get him all fussed up ! And for nothln'g at all ! 

Horace 

Too bad that class of people come here. I think I'll 
go to Harvard next year. Haven't broken it to my 
parental — ^but I've about made up my mind. 

Doris 
Don't you think Morton's a good school, Horace? 

Horace 

Morton's all right. Fine for the — [kindly] people 
who would naturally come here. But one gets an ac- 
quaintance at Harvard. Where'd'y' want these pas- 
sionate lines ? 

[FussiE and Doris are ojf again con^ 
vulsed. 



INHERITORS 65 

Horace 

[Eye falling on the page where he opens the book.] 
Say, old Bones could spill the English — what? Listen 
to this flyer : "For when we say that culture is to know 
the best that has been thought and said in the world, we 
simply imply that for culture a system directly tending 
to that end is necessary in our reading." [He reads 
it with mock solemnity, delighting Fussie and Doris.] 
"The best that has been thought and said in the world !" 
[Madeline Morton comes in from 
right; she carries a tennis racket. 

Madeline 

[fBoth critical and good-humored. \ You haven't 
made a large contribution to that, have you, Horace ? 

Horace 

Madeline, you don't want to let this sarcastic habit 
grow on you. 

Madeline 
Thanks for the tip. 

Fussie 

Oh — Madeline. [Holds out her hand to take the 
hook from Horace and show it to Madeline.] You 
know — 

Doris 

S — ^h. Don't be silly. [To cover this] Who you 
playing with ? 

Horace 

Want me to play with you, Madeline? 



66 INHERITORS 

Madeline 

'^Genially.] I'd rather play with you than talk to 
you. 

Horace 

Same here. 

FussiE 

Aren't cousins affectionate ? 

Madeline 

[Moving through to the other part of the library,] 
But first I'm looking for a book. 

Horace 

Well, I can tell you without your looking it up, he did 
say it. But that was an age of different values. Any- 
way, the fact that they're quoting it shows it's being 
misapplied. 

Madeline 

[Smiling.] Father said so. 

Horace 

[On his dignity.] Oh, of course — if you don't want 
to be serious. 

[Madeline laughs and passes on through. 

Doris 
What are you two talking about ? 

Horace 

Madeline happened to overhear a little disciiissioii 
down on the campus. 



INHERITORS 67 

FussiE 
Listen. You know something? Sometimes I think 
Madeline Morton is a highbrow in disguise. 

Horace 
Say, you don't want to start anything like that. 
Madeline's all right. She and I treat each other rough 
— but that's being in the family. 

FussiE 
Well, I'll tell you something. I heard Professor 
Holden say Madeline Morton had a great deal more 
mind than she'd let herself know. 

Horace 
Oh, well — Holden, he's erratic. Look at how popu- 
lar Madeline is. 

Doris 
I should say. What's the matter with you, Fussie? 

FussiE 
Oh, I didn't mean it really hurt her. 

Horace 
Guess it don't hurt her much at a dance. Say, what's 
this new jazz they were springing last night? 

Doris 
I know ! Now look here, Horace — L'me show you. 

[She shows him a step. 

Horace 
I get you. 

[He begins to dance with her; the hook 
he holds slips to the floor. He kicks 
it under the table. 



68 INHERITORS 



FUSSIE 



Be careful. They'll be coming back here. 

[Glances off left. 

Doris 
Keep an eye out, Fussie. 

FUSSIE 

[From her post."] .They're coming! I tell you, 
they're coming! 

Doris 

Horace, come on. 

[He teasingly keeps hold of her, continu- 
ing the dance. At sound of voices, 
they run off, right. Fussie considers 
rescuing the hook, decides she has not 
time. 

Senatior 

[At first speaking off. ] Yes, it could be done. There 
is that surplus, and as long as Morton College is socially 
valuable — right here above the steel works, and making 
this feature of military training — {He has picked up his 
hat.] But your Americanism must be unimpeachable, 
Mr. Fejevary. This man Holden stands in the way. 

Fejevary 

I'm going to have a talk with Professor Holden this 
afternoon. If he remains he will — [It is not easy for 
him to say] give no trouble, [Madeline returns.] 
Oh, here's Madeline^ — Silas Morton's granddaughter, 
Madeline Fejevary Morton. This is Senator Lewis, 
Madeline. 



INHERITORS 69 

Senator 

[Holding out his hand.] How do you do, Miss 
Morton. I suppose this is a great day for you. 

Madeline 
Why — I don't know. 

Senator 

The fortieth anniversary of the founding of your 
grandfather's college ? You must be very proud of your 
illustrious ancestor. 

Madeline 
I get a bit bored with him. 

Senator 
Bored with him ? My dear young lady ! 

Madeline 

I suppose because I've heard so many speeches about 
him — "The sainted pioneer" — "The grand old man of 
the prairies" — I'm sure I haven't any idea what he really 
was like. 

Fejevary 
I've tried to tell you, Madeline. 

Madeline 
Yes. 

Senator 

I should think you would be proud to be the grand- 
daughter of this man of vision. 



70 INHERITORS 

Madeline 
[Her smile flashing.] Wouldn't you hate to be the 
granddaughter of a phrase ? 

Fejevary 
[Trying to laugh it off.] Madeline! How absurd. 

Madeline 
Well, I'm off for tennis. 

[Nods good-bye and passes on. 

Fejevary 
[Calling to her.] Oh, Madeline, if your Aunt Isabel 
is out there — will you tell her where we are ? 

Madeline 
[Calling back.] All right. 

Fejevary 
[After a look at his companion.] Queer girl, Made- 
line. Rather — moody. 

Senator 
[Disapprovingly.] Well — ^yes. 

Fejevary 
[Again trying to laugh it off. ] She's been hearing a 
great many speeches about her grandfather. 

Senator 
She should be proud to hear them. 

Fejevary 
Of course she should. [Looking in the direction 
Madeline has gone.] I want you to meet my wife, 
Senator Lewis. 



INHERITORS 71 

Senator 

I should be pleased to meet Mrs. Fejevary. I have 
heard what she means to the college — socially. 

Fejevary 

I think she has given it something it wouldn't have 
had without her. Certainly a place in the town that is — 
good for it. And you haven't met our president yet. 

Senator 
Guess I've met the real president. 

Fejevary 

Oh — ^no. I*m merely president of the board of trust- 
ees. 

Senator 

"Merely!" 

Fejevary 

I want you to know President Welling. He*s very 
much the cultivated gentleman. 

Senator 

Cultivated gentlemen are all right. I'd hate to see a 
world they ran. 

Fejevary 

[With a laugh.] I'll just take a look up here, then 
we can go down the shorter way. 

[He goes out right. Senator Lewis 
turns and examines the books. 
FussiE slips in, looks at him, hesi- 
tates, and then stoops under the table 



72 INHERITORS 

for the Matthew Arnold (and her 
poem) which Horace has kicked 
there. He turns. 

FussiE 

[Not out from under the table.] Oh, I was just 
looking for a book. 

Senator 

Quite a place to look for a book. 

FussiE 

[Crawling out.] Yes, it got there. I though I'd put 
it back. Somebody — ^might want it. 

Senator 
I see, young lady, that you have a regard for books. 

FussiE 
Oh, yes, I do have a regard for them. 

Senator 
[Holding out his hand. ] And what is your book ? 

FussiE 

Oh — ^it's — it's nothing. 

[As he continues to hold out his hand, she 
reluctantly gives the book. 

Senator 
[Solemnly.] Matthew Arnold? Nothing? 

FussiE 
Oh, I didn't mean him. 



INHERITORS 73 

Senator 

A master of English ! I am glad, young woman, that 
you value this book. 

FussiE 

Oh yes, I'm — awfully fond of it. 

[Growing more and more nervous as in 
turning the pages, he nears the poem. 

Senator 

I am interested in you young people of Morton Col- 
lege. 

FussiE 

That's so good of you. 

Senator 
What is your favorite study ? 

FussiE 
Well — [An inspiration.'] I like all of them. 

Senator 
Morton College is coming on very fast, I tmderstand. 

FussiE 

Oh, yes, it's getting more and more of the right 
people. It used to be a little jay, you know. Of course, 
the Fejevarys give it class. Mrs. Fejevary — isn't she 
wonderful ? 

Senator 

I haven't seen her yet. Waiting here now to meet 
her. 



74 INHERITORS 

FussiE 

[Worried by this.] Oh, I must— must be going. 
Shall I put the book back ? 

[Holding out her hand. 

Senator 

No, I'll just look it over a bit. 

[Sits down. 

FussiE 

[Unable to think of any way of getting it.\ This is 
where it belongs. 

Senator 

Thank you. 

[Reluctantly she goes out. Senator 
Lewis pursues Matthew Arnold with 
the conscious air of a half literate 
man reading a "great book." The 
Fejevarys come in. 

Fejevary 
I found nay wife, Senator Lewis. 

Aunt Isabel 

[She is a woman of social distinction and charm.] 
How do you do, Senator Lewis ? 

[They shake hands. 

Senator 
It's a great pleasure to naeet you, Mrs. Fejevary. 

Aunt Isabel 
Why don't we carry Senator Lewis home for lunch ? 



INHERITORS 75 

Senator 
Why, you're very kind. 

Aunt Isabel 

I'm sure there's a great deal to talk about, so why not 
talk comfortably, and really get acquainted? And we 
want to tell you the whole story of Morton College — 
the good old American spirit behind it. 

Senator 
I am glad to find you an American, Mrs. Fejevary. 

Aunt Isabel 

Oh, we are that. Morton College is one hundred per 
cent American. Our boys — 

[Her boy Horace rushes in. 

Horace 

[Wildly.] Father! Will you go after Madeline? 
The police have got her ! 

Fejevary 

What! 

Aunt Isabel 

[As he is getting his breath. ] What absurd thing are 
you saying, Horace ? 

Horace 

Awful row down on the campus. The Hindus. I 
told them to keep their mouths shut about Abraham 
Lincoln. I told them the fact they were quoting him — • 



-j^i INHERITORS 

Fejevary 

Never mind what you told them ! What happened ? 

Horace 

We started to — rustle them along a bit. Why they 
had handbills [holding one up as if presenting incrimi- 
nating evidence — the Senator takes it from him] tell- 
ing America what to do about deportation ! Not on this 
campus — I say. So we were — we were putting a stop 
to it. They resisted — ^particularly the fat one. The 
cop at the comer saw the row — came up. He took hold 
of Bakhshish and when the dirty anarchist didn't move 
along fast enough, he took hold of him — well, a bit 
rough, you might say, when up rushes Madeline and 
calls to the cop, "Let that boy alone!" Gee — I don't 
know just what did happen — awful mix-up. Next 
thing I knew Madeline hauled off and pasted the police- 
man a fierce one with her tennis racket ! 

Senator 
She struck the officer ? 

Horace 
I should say she did. Twice. The second time — 

Aunt Isabel 

Horace. [Looking at her husband.] I — I can't be- 
lieve it. 

Horace 

I could have squared it, even then, but for Madeline 
herself. I told the policeman that she didn't under- 
stand — that I was her cousin and apologized for her. 
And she called over at me, "Better apologize for 



INHERITORS 'j'j 

yourself !" As if there was any sense to that — and she 
— she looked like a tiger. Honest, everybody was 
afraid of her. I kept right on trying to square it, told 
the cop she was the granddaughter of the man that 
founded the college — that you were her uncle — he 
would have gone off with just the Hindu, fixed this up 
later, but Madeline balled it up again — didn't care who 
was her uncle — Gee! \He throws open the window.] 
There ! You can see them, at the foot of the hill. A 
nice thing — ^member of our family led off to the police 
station ! 

Fejevary 

[To the Senator.] Will you excuse me? 

Aunt Isabel 

[Trying to return to the manner of pleasant social 
things.] Senator Lewis will go on home with me, and 
you — [he is hurrying out] come when you can. [To 
the senator.] Madeline is such a high-spirited girl. 

Senator 

If she had no regard for the living, she might — on 
this day of all others — have considered her grand- 
father's memory. 

[Raises his eye^ to the picture of Silas 
Morton. 

Horace 
Gee ! Wouldn't you say so ? 



(Curtain) 



ACT II 

Scene II 

Scene: The same as Scene I, three hours later. 
Professor Holden is seated at the table, hooks before 
him. He is a mxin in the fifties. At the moment his 
care-worn face is lighted by that lift of the spirit which 
sometimes rewards the scholar w-ho has imaginative 
feeling. Harry, a student clerk, comes hurrying in. 
Looks hack. 

Harry 

Here's Professor Holden, Mr. Fejevary. 

Holden 
Mr. Fejevary is looking for me? 

Harry 
Yes. 

\He goes back, a moment later Mr. 
Fejevary enters. He has his hat, 
gloves, stick; seems tired and dis- 
turbed. 

Holden 
Was I mistaken? I thought our appointment was 
for five. 

Fejevary 
Quite right. But things have changed, so I won> 
dered if I might have a little talk with you now. 

78 



INHERITORS 79 

HOLDEN 

To be sure. [Rising.] Shall we go downstairs? 
Fejevary 

I don't know. Nice and quiet up here. [ To Harry, 
who is now passing through.] Harry, the library is 
closed now, is it? 

Harry 

Yes, it's locked. 

Fejevary 
And there's no one in here ? 
Harry 
No, I've been all through. 

Fejevary 

There's a committee downstairs. Oh, this is a 
terrible day. [Putting his things on the table.] We'd 
better stay up here. Harry, when my niece — when 
Miss Morton arrives — I want you to come and let me 
know. Ask her not to leave the building without 
seeing me. 

Harry 

Yes, sir. 

[He goes out. 

Fejevary 

Well, [wearily] it's been a day. Not the day I was 
looking for. 

Holden 
No. 



8o INHERITORS 

Fejevary 
You're very serene up here. 

HOLDEN 

Yes ; I wanted to be — serene for a little while. 

Fejevary 

[Looking at the books.] Emerson. Whitman. 
[With a smile.] Have they anything new to say on 
economics ? 

HoLDEN 

Perhaps not ; but I wanted to forget economics for 
a time. I came up here by myself to try and celebrate 
the fortieth anniversary of the founding of Morton Col- 
lege. [Answering the other man's look.] Yes, I con- 
fess I've been disappointed in the anniversary. As I 
left Memorial Hall after the exercises this morning, 
Emerson's words came into my mind — 
"Give me truth, 
For I am tired of surfaces 
And die of inanition." 
Well, then I went home — 

[Stops, troubled. 

Fejevary 
How is Mrs. Holden ? 

HoLDEN 

Better, thank you, but — ^not strong. 

Fejevary 

She needs the very best of care for a time, doesn't 
she? 



INHERITORS 8i 

HOLDEN 

Yes. [Silent a moment.] Then, this is something 
more than the fortieth anniversary, you know. It's the 
first of the month. 

Fejevary 
And illness hasn't reduced the bills ? 

HoLDEN 

[Shaking his head. ] I didn't want this day to go like 
that ; so I came up here, to try and touch what used to 
be here. 

Fejevary 

But you speak despondently of us. And there's been 
such a fine note of optimism in the exercises. 

[Speaks with the heartiness of one ivho 
would keep himself assured. 

HoLDEN 

I didn't seem to want a fine note of optimism. [With 
roughness.] I wanted — a gleam from reality. 

Fejevary 

To me this is reality — ^the robust spirit created by all 
these young people. 

HoLDEN 

Do you think it ia robust? [Hand affectionately on 
the hook before him.] I've been rdading. Whitman. 

Fejevary 

This day has to be itself. Certain things go — others 
come ; life is change. 



INHERITORS 



HOLDEN 



Perhaps it's myself I'm discouraged with. Do you 
remember the tenth anniversary of the founding of 
Morton College ? 

Fejevary 

The tenth ? Oh yes, that was when this library was 
opened. 

HOLDEN 

I shall never forget your father, Mr. Fejevary, as he 
stood out there and said the few words which gave 
these books to the students. Not many books, but he 
seemed to baptise them in the very spirit from which 
books are bom. 

Fejevary 
He died the following year. 

HoLDEN 

One felt death near. But that didn't seem the im- 
portant thing. A student who had fought for liberty 
for mind Of course his face would be sensitive. You 
must be very proud of your heritage. 

Fejevary 

Yes. [A little testily.] Well, I have certainly worked 
for the college. I'm doing my best now to keep it a part 
of these times. 

HoLDEN 

[As if this has not reached him.] It was later that 
same afternoon I talked with Silas Morton, We stood 
at this window and looked out over the valley to the 



INHERITORS 83 

lower hill that was his home. He told me how from 
that hill he had for years looked up to this one, and why- 
there had to be a, college here. I never felt America as 
that old farmer made me feel it. 

Fejevary 

[Drawn by this, then shifting in irritation because he 
is drawn. ] I'm sorry to break in with practical things, 
but alas, I am a practical man — forced to be. I too have 
made a fight — ^though the fight to finance never appears 
an idealistic one. But I'm deep in that now, and I must 
have a little help ; at least, I must not have — stumbling 
blocks. 

HOLDEN 

Am I a stumbling block ? 

Fejevary 

Candidly, {with a smile] you are a little hard to fi- 
nance. Here's the situation. The time for being a little 
college has passed. We must take our place as one of 
the important colleges — I make bold to say one of the 
important universities — of the middle west. But we 
have to enlarge before we can grow. [Answering Hol- 
den's smile.'] Yes, it is ironic, but that's the way of it. 
It was a nice thing to open the anniversary with fifty 
thousand from the steel works — ^but fifty thousand dol- 
lars — nowadays — ^to an institution? [Waves the fifty 
thousand aside.] They'll do more later, I think, when 
they see us coming Into our own. Meanwhile, as you 
know, there's this chance for an appropriation from the 
state. I find that the legislature, the members who 
count, are very friendly to Morton College. They like 
the spirit we have here. Well, now I come to you, and 



84 INHERITORS 

you are one of the big reasons for niy wanting to put 
this over. Your salary makes me blush. It's all wrong 
that a man like you should have these petty worries, 
particularly with Mrs. Holden so in need of the things 
a little money can do. Now this man Lewis is a re- 
actionary. So, naturally, he doesn't approve of you. 

Holden 
So naturally I am to go. 

Fejevary 
Go? Not at all. What have I just been saying? 

Holden 

Be silent, then. 

Fejevary 

Not that either — not — ^not really. But — ^be a little 
more discreet. [Seeing him harden.] This is what I 
want to put up to you. Why not give things a chance to 
mature in your own mind ? Candidly, I don't feel you 
know just what you do think ; is it so awfully important 
to express — confusion ? 

Holden 

The only man who knows just what he thinks at the 
present moment is the man who hasn't done any new 
thinking in the past ten years. 

Fejevary 

[With a soothing gesture.] You and I needn't 
quarrel about it. I understand you, but I find it a little 
hard to interpret you to a man like Lewis. 



INHERITORS 85 

HOLDEN 

Then why not let a man like Lewis go to thunder? 

Fejevary 

And let the college go to thunder ? I'm not willing to 
do that. I've made a good many sacrifices for this col- 
lege. Given more money than I could afford to give; 
given time and thought that I could have used for 
personal gain. 

HoLDEN 

That's true, I know. 

Fejevary 

I don't know just why I've done it. Sentiment, I sup- 
pose. I had a very strong feeling about my father, 
Professor Holden. And his friend Silas Morton. This 
college is the child of that friendship. Those are noble 
words in our manifesto : 

"Morton College was born because there came to 
this valley a man who held his vision for mankind 
above his own advantage; and because that man 
foimd in this valley a man who wanted beauty for 
his fellow-men as he wanted no other thing." 

Holden 

[Taking it up.] "Born of the fight for freedom and 
the aspiration to richer Hving, we believe that Morton 
College — rising as from the soil itself — ^may strengthen 
all those here and everywhere who fight for the life 
there is in freedom, and may, to the measure it can, 
loosen for America the beauty that breathes from 
knowledge." [Moved by the words he has spoken.] 



86 INHERITORS 

Do you know, I would rather do that — really do that — 
than — ^grow big. 

Fejevary 

Yes. But you see, or rather, what you don't see is, 
you have to look at the world in which you find yourself. 
The only way to stay alive is to grow big. It's been 
hard, but I have tried to — ^carry on. 

HOLDEN 

And so have I tried to carry on. But it is very hard 
— carrying on a dream. 

Fejevary 
Well, I'm trying to make it easier. 

HoLDEN 

Make it easier by destroying the dream ? 

Fejevary 
Not at all. What I want is scope for dreams. 

Holden 

Are you sure we'd have the dreams after we've paid 
this price for the scope ? 

Fejevary 
Now let's not get rhetorical with one another. 

HoLDEN 

Mr. Fejevary, you have got to let me be as honest 
with you as you say you are being with me. You have 
got to let me say what I feel. 



INHERITORS 87 

Fejevary 
Certainly. That's why I wanted this talk with you. 

HOLDEN 

You say you have made sacrifices for Morton College. 
So have I. 

Fejevary 
How well I know that. 

HoLDEN 

You don't know all of it. I'm not sure you under- 
stand any of it. 

Fejevary 
[Charmingly.] Oh, I think you're hard on me. 

HOLDEN 

I spoke of the tenth anniversary. I was a young man 
then, just hom^e from Athens. [Pulled back into an old 
feeling.] I don't know why I felt I had to go to Greece. 
I knew then that I was going to teach something within 
sociology, and I didn't want anything I felt about beauty 
to be left out of what I formulated about society. The 
Greeks — 

Fejevary 

[As HoLDEN has paused before what he sees.] I re- 
member you told me the Greeks were the passion of 
your student days. 

HOLDEN 

Not so much because they created beauty, but because 
they were able to let beauty flow into their lives — ^to 



88 INHERITORS 

create themselves in beauty. So, as a romantic young 
man, [smiles] it seemed if I could go where they had 
heen — what I had felt might take form. Anyway, I 
had a wonderful time there. Oh, what wouldn't I give 
to have again that feeling of life's infinite possibilities I 

Fejevary 
[Nodding.] A youthful feeling. 

HOLDEN 

[Softly.] I like youth. Well, I was just back, visit- 
ing my sister here, at the time of the tenth anniversary. 
I had a chance then to go to Harvard as instructor. A 
good chance, for I would have been under a man who 
liked me. But that afternoon I heard your father speak 
about books. I talked with Silas Morton. I found my- 
self telling him about Greece. No one had ever felt it 
as he felt it. It seemed to become of the very bone of 
him. 

Fejevary 

[Affectionately.] I know how he used to do. 

HoLDEN 

He put his hands on my shoulders. He said — "Young 
man, don't go away. We need you here. Give us this 
great thing you've got !" And so I stayed, for I felt that 
here was soil in which I could grow, and that one's 
whole life was not too much to give to a place with roots 
like that. [A little bitterly.] Forgive me if this seems 
rhetoric. 

Fejevar\ 

[A gesture of protest. Silent a moment.] You make 
it — ^hard for me. [With exasperation.] Don't you 



INHERITORS 89 

think I'd like to indulge myself in an exalted mood? 
And why don't I ? I can't afford it — not now. Won't 
you have a little patience? And faith — faith that the 
thing we want will be there for us after we've worked 
our way through the woods. We are in the woods now. 
It's going to take our combined brains to get us out. I 
don't mean just Morton College. 

HOLDEN 

No — ^America. As to getting out, I think you are all 
wrong. 

Fejevary 

That's one of your sweeping statements, Hoi den. 
Nobody's all wrong. Even you aren't. 

HOLDEN 

And in what ways am I wrong — from the standpoint 
of your Senator Lewis ? 

Fejevary 

He's not my Senator Lewis, he's the state's and we 
have to take him as he is. Why he objects, of course, 
to your radical activities. He spoke of your defense of 
conscientious objectors. 

Holden 

[Slowly.] I think a man who is willing to go to 
prison for what he believes has stuff in him no college 
need turn its back on. 

Fejevary 
Well, he doesn't agree with you — ^nor do I. 



go INHERITORS 

HOLDEN 

[Still quietly.] And I think a "society which per- 
mits things to go on which I can prove go on in our 
federal prisons had better stop and take a fresh look at 
itself. To stand for that and then talk of democracy 
and idealism- — oh, it shows no mentality, for one thing. 

Fejevary 

[Easily.] I presume the prisons do need a cleaning 
up. As to Fred Jordan, you can't expect me to share 
your admiration. Our own Fred — my nephew Fred 
Morton, went to France and gave his life. There's some 
little courage, Holden, in doing that. 

HoLDEN 

I'm not trying to belittle it. But he had the whole 
spirit of his age with him — fortunate boy. The man 
who stands outside the idealism of his time — 

Fejevary 

Takes a good deal upon himself, I should say. 

Holden 

There isn't any other such loneliness. You know in 
your heart it's a noble courage. 

Fejevary 

It lacks — humility. [Holden laughs scoffingly.] 
And I think you lack it. I'm asking you to cooperate 
with me for the good of Morton College. 

Holden 

Why not do it the other way? You say enlarge that 
we may grow. That's false. It isn't of the nature of 



INHERITORS 91 

growth. Why not do it the way of Silas Morton and 
Walt Whitman — each man being his purest and in- 
tensest self. I was full of this fervor when you came 
in. I'm more and more disappointed in our students. 
They're empty — flippant. No sensitive moment opens 
them to beauty. No exaltation makes them — ^what they 
hadn't known they were. I concluded some of the 
fault must be mine. The only students I reach are the 
Hindus. Perhaps Madeline Morton — I don't quite 
make her out. I too must have gone into a dead 
stratum. But I can get back. Here alone this after- 
noon — [softly] I was back. 

Fejevary 
I think we'll have to let the Hindus go. 

HOLDEN 

[Astonished.] Gof Our best students ? 

Fejevary 

This college is for Americans. I'm not going to have 
foreign revolutionists come here and block the things 
I've spent my life working for. 

HOLDEN 

I don't seem to know what you mean, at all. 

Fejevary 

Why that disgraceful performance this morning. I 
can settle Madeline all right. [Looking at his watch.] 
She should be here by now. But I'm convinced our 
case before the legislature will be stronger with the 
Hindus out of here. 



92 INHERITORS 

HOLDEN 

Well, I seem to have missed something — disgraceful 
performance — the Hindus, Madeline — 

[Stops, bewildered. 
Fejevary 
You mean to say you don't know about the disturb- 
ance out here? 

HOLDEN 

I went right home after the address. Then came up 
here alone. 

Fejevary 

Upon my word, you do lead a serene life. While 
you've been sitting here in contemplation I've been to 
the police court — ^trying to get my niece out of jail. 
That's what comes of having radicals around. 

HOLDEN 

What happened ? 

Fejevary 
One of your beloved Hindus made himself obnoxious 
on the campus. Giving out handbills about freedom for 
India — howling over deportation. Our American boys 
wouldn't stand for it. A policeman saw the fuss — came 
up and started to put the Hindu in his place. Then 
Madeline rushes in and it ended in her pounding the 
policeman with her tennis racket. 
Holden 
Madeline Morton did that ! 

Fejevary 
[Sharply.] You seem pleased. 

HoLDEN 

I am' — Interested. 



INHERITORS 93 

Fejevary 

Well, I'm not interested. I'mi disgusted. My niece 
mixing up in a free-for-all fight and getting taken to 
the police station ! It's the first disgrace we've ever had 
in our family. 

HOLDEN 

[As one who has been given courage.] Wasn't there 
another disgrace ? 

Fejevary 
What do you mean? 

HoLDEN 

When your father fought his government and was 
banished from his country. 

Fejevary 
That was not a disgrace ! 

HoLDEN 

[As if in surprise.] Wasn't it? 

Fejevary 
See here, Holden, you can't talk to me like that. 

HOLDEN 

I don't admit you can talk to me as you please and 
that I can't talk to you. I'm a professor — ^not a servant. 

Fejevary 

Yes, and you're a damned difficult professor. I cer- 
tainly have tried to — 



94 INHERITORS 

HOLDEN 

[ Smiling. ] Handle me ? 

Fejevary 
I ask you this. Do you know any other institution 
where you could sit and talk with the executive head as 
you have here with me ? 

HoLDEN 

I don't know. Perhaps not. 

Fejevary 
Then be reasonable. No one is entirely free. That's 
naive. It's rather egotistical to want to be. We're held 
by our relations to others — ^by our obligations to the 
[vaguely] — the ultimate thing. Come now — ^you admit 
certain dissatisfactions with yourself, so — why not go 
with intensity into just the things you teach — ^and not 
touch quite so many other things? 

HOLDEN 

I couldn't teach anything if I didn't feel free to go 
wherever that thing took me. Thirty years ago I was 
asked to come to this college precisely because my 
science was not in isolation, because of my vivid feeling 
of us as a moment in a long sweep, because of my faith 
in the greater beauty our further living may unfold. 

[Harry enters. 
Harry 
Excuse me. Miss Morton is here now, Mr. Fejevary. 

Fejevary 
[Frowns, hesitates.] Ask her to come up here in five 
minutes. [After Harry has gone.] I think we've 
thrown a scare into Madeline. I thought as long as 



INHERITORS 95 

she'd been taken to jail it would be no worse for us to 
have her stay there awhile. She's been held since one 
o'clock. That ought to teach her reason. 

HOLDEN 

Is there a case against her ? 

Fejevary 

No, I got it fixed up. Explained that it was just col- 
lege girl foolishness — wouldn't happen again. One 
reason I wanted this talk with you first, if I do have any 
trouble with Madeline I want you to help me. 

HoLDEN 

Oh, I can't do that. 

Fejevary 

You aren't running out and clubbing the police. Tell 
her she'll have to think things over and express herself 
with a little more dignity. 

Holden 

I ask to be excused from being present while you talk 
with her. 

Fejevary 

But why not stay in the library — in case I should 
need you. Just take your books over to the east alcove 
and go on with what you were doing when I came in. 

Holden 

[With a faint smile.] I fear I can hardly dp that. 
As to Madeline — 



96 INHERITORS 

Fejevary 

You don't want to see the girl destroy herself, do 
you? I confess I've always worried about Madeline. 
If my sister had lived — But Madeline's mother died, 
you know, when she was a baby. Her father — well, you 
and I talked that over just the other day — ^there's no 
getting to him. Fred never worried me a bit — just the 
fine normal boy. But Madeline — [With an effort 
throwing it off.] Oh, it'll be all right, I haven't a doubt. 
And it'll be all right between you and me, won't it? 
Caution over a hard strip of the road, then — ^bigger 
things ahead. 

HOLDEN 

[Slowly, knowing what it may mean.] I shall 
continue to do all I can toward getting Fred Jordan 
out of prison. It's a disgrace to America that two 
years after the war closes he should be kept there — 
much of the time in solitary confinement — because he 
couldn't believe in war. It's small — vengeful — ^it's the 
Russia of the Czars. I shall do what is in my power to 
fight the deportation of Gurkul Singh. And certainly 
I shall leave no stone unturned if you persist in your 
amazing idea of dismissing the other Hindus from col- 
lege. For what — I ask you? Dismissed — for what? 
Because they love liberty enough to give their lives to 
it ! The day you dismiss them, bum our high-sounding 
manifesto, Mr. Fejevary, and admit that Morton Col- 
lege now sells her soul to the— committee on appro- 
priations ! 

Fejevary 
Well, you force me to be as specific as you are. If 
you do these things, I can no longer fight for you. 



INHERITORS 97 

HOLDEN 

Very well then, I go. 

Fejevary 
Go where? 

HOLDEN 

I don't know — at the moment. 
Fejevary 

I fear you'll find it harder than you know. Mean- 
while, what of your family ? 

HOLDEN 

We will have to manage some way. 

Fejevary 

It is not easy for a woman whose health — in fact 
whose life — is a matter of the best of care to "manage 
someway." [With real feeling.] What is an intellec- 
tual position alongside that reality? You'd like, of 
course, to be just what you want to be — ^but isn't there 
something selfish in that satisfaction? I'm talking as a 
friend now — ^you must know that. You and I have a 
good many ties, Holden. I don't believe you knovSr how 
much Mrs. Fejevary thinks of Mrs. Holden. 

Holden 
She has been very, very good to her. 

Fejevary 

And will be. She cares for her. And our children 
have been growing up together — I love to watch it. 
Isn't that the reality ? Doing for them as best we can, 



98 INHERITORS 

making sacrifices of — of every kind. Don't let some 
tenuous, remote thing destroy this flesh and blood thing. 

HOLDEN 

[As one! fighting to keep his head above water.] 
Honesty is not a tenuous, remote thing. 

Fejevary 

There's a kind of honesty is selfishness. We can't 
always have it. Oh, I used to^ — go through things. But 
I've struck a pace — one does — ^and goes ahead. 

HoLDEN 

Forgive me, but I don't think you've had certain 
temptations to — selfishness. 

Fejevary 

How do you know what I've had ? You have no way 
of knowing what's in me — what other thing I might 
have been.'' You know my heritage; you think that's 
left nothing? But I find myself here in America. I 
love those dependent on me. My wife — who's used to a 
certain manner of living ; my children — who are to be- 
come part of the America of their time. I've never said 
this to another human being — I've never looked at it 
myself — ^but It's pretty arrogant to think you're the 
only man who has made a sacrifice to fit himself into the 
age in which he lives. I hear Madeline. This hasn't 
left me in very good form for talking with her. Please 
don't go away. Just — 

[Madeline comes in, right. She has her 

tennis racket. Nods to the two men. 

Holden goes out, left. 



INHERITORS 99 

Madeline 

[Looking after Holden — feeling something going 
on. Then turning to her Uncle, who is still looking 
after Holden.] You wanted to speak to me, Uncle 
Felix? 



Fejevary 
Of course I want to speak to you. 
Madeline 



I feel just awfully sorry about — banging up my rac- 
ket like this. The second time it came down on his 
club. Why do they carry those things ? Perfectly fan- 
tastic, I'll say, going aroimd with a club. But as long 
as you were asking me what I wanted for my birth- 
day — ■ 

Fejevary 
Madeline. I am not here to discuss your birthday. 

Madeline 
I'm sorry — [smiles] to hear that. 

Fejevary 
You don't seem much chastened. 

Madeline 

Chastened ? Was that the idea ? Well, if you think 
that keeping a person where she doesn't want to be 
chastens her ! I never felt less "chastened" than when 
I walked out of that slimy spot and looked across the 
street at your nice bank. I should think you'd hate to 
— [With friendly concern.] Why, Uncle Felix, you 
look tired out. 



TOO INHERITORS 

Fejevary 

I am tired out, Madeline. I've had a nerve-racking 
day. 

Madeline 

Isn't that too bad ? Those speeches were so boresome, 
and that old senator person — wasn't he a stuff? But 
can't you go home now and let auntie give you tea and — • 

Fejevary 

[Sharply.] Madeline, have you no intelligence? 
Hasn't it occurred to you that your performance would 
worry me a little ? 

Madeline 

I suppose it was a nuisance. And on such a busy 
day. [Changing.] But if you're going to worry, 
Horace is the one you should worry about. [Answer- 
ing his look.] Why, he got it all up. He made me 
ashamed ! 

Fejevary 
And you're not at all ashamed of what you have done ? 

Madeline 
Ashamed ? Why — ^no. 

Fejevary 

Then you'd better be ! A girl who rushes in and as- 
saults an officer ! 

Madeline 

[Earnestly explaining it.] But, Uncle Felix, I had td 
stop him. No one else did. 



INHERITORS loi 

Fejevary 

Madeline, I don't know whether you're trying to be 
naive — 

Madeline 

[Angrily.] Well, I'm not I like that! I think I'll 
go home. 

Fejevary 

I think you will not ! It's stupid of you not to know 
this is serious. You could be dismissed from school for 
what you did. 

Madeline 

Well, I'm good and ready to be dismissed from any 
school that would dismiss for that ! 

Fejevary 

[In a new manner — quietly, from feeling.] Made- 
line, have you no love for this place? 

Madeline 

[Doggedly, after thinking.] Yes, I have. [She sits 
down.] And I don't know why I have. 

Fejevary 

Certainly it's not strange. If ever a girl had a back- 
ground, Morton College is Madeline Fejevary Morton's 
backgroimd, [He too now seated by the table.] Do 
you remember your Grandfather Morton? 

Madeline 

Not very well. [A qualify which seems sullennefss.J 
I couldn't bear to look at him. He shook so. 



102 INHERITORS 

Fejevary 
[Turning away, real pain.] Oh — ^how cruel. 

Madeline 
[Surprised, gently.] Cruel? Me — cruel? 

Fejevary 

Not just you. The way it passes — [to himself] so 
fast it passes. 

Madeline 

I'm sorry. [Troubled.] You see, he was too old 
then — 

Fejevary 

[His hand up to stop her.] I wish I could bring him 
back for a moment, so you could see what he was before 
he [bitterly] shook so. He was a powerful man who 
was as real as the earth. He was strangely of the earth, 
as if something went from it to him. [Looking at her 
intently.] Queer you should be the one to have no 
sentiment about him, for you and he — sometimes when 
I'm with you it's as if — he were near. He had no 
personal ambition, Madeline. He was ambitious for 
the earth and its people. I wonder if you can realize 
what it meant to my father — in a strange land, where he 
might so easily have been misunderstood, pushed down, 
to find a friend like that? It wasn't so much the 
material things — ^though Uncle Silas was always mak- 
ing them right — ^and as if — oh, hardly conscious what 
he was doing — so little it mattered. It was the way he 
got father, and by that very valuing kept alive what 
was there to value. Why, he literally laid this country 



INHERITORS 103 

at my father's feet — as if that was what this country 
was for, as if it made up for the hard early things — for 
the wrong things. 

Madeline 
He must really have been a pretty nice old party. No 
doubt I would have hit it off with him all right. I don't 
seem to hit it off with the — speeches about him. Some- 
how I want to say, "Oh, give us a rest." 

Fejevary 
[Offended.] And that, I presume, is what you want 
to say to me. 

Madeline 
No, no, I didn't mean you. Uncle. Though [hesitat- 
ingly] I was wondering, how you could think you were 
talking on your side. 

Fejevary 
What do you mean — my side? 

Madeline 
Oh, I don't — exactly. That's nice about him being — 
of the earth. Sometimes when I'm out for a tramp — 
way off by myself — ^yes, I know. And I wonder if that 
doesn't explain his feeling about the Indians. Father 
told me how grandfather took it to heart about the 
Indians. 

Fejevary 
He felt it as you'd feel it if it were your brother. So 
he must give his choicest land to the thing we might 
become. "Then maybe I can He under the same sod 
with the red boys and not be ashamed." 

[Madeline nods, appreciatively. 



104 INHERITORS 

Madeline 
Yes, tHat's really — all right. 

Fejevary 

[Irritated by what seems charily stated approval.] 
"All right!" Well, I am not willing to let this man's 
name pass from our time. And it seems rather bitter 
that Silas Morton's granddaughter should be the one 
to stand in my way. 

Madeline 

Why, Uncle Felix, I'm not standing in your way. Of 
course I wouldn't do that. I — [rather bashfully] I love 
the Hill. I was thinking about it in jail. I got fuddled 
on direction in there, so I asked the woman who htmg 
around which way was College Hill. "Right through 
there," she said. A blank wall. I sat and looked 
through that wall — long time. [She looks front, again 
looking through that blank wall.] It was all — ^kind of 
funny. Then later she came and told me you were 
out there, and I thought it was corking of you to come 
and tell them they couldn't put that over on College 
Hill. And I know Bakhshish will appreciate it too. I 
wonder where he went. 

Fejevary 

Went.'' I fancy he won't go much of anywhere to- 
night. 

Madeline 

What do you mean ? 

Fejevary 
Why, he's held for his hearing, of course. 



INHERITORS 105 

Madeline 

You mean — ^you came and got just m.e — and left him 
there ? 

Fejevary 
Certainly. 

Madeline 
[Rismg.] Then I'll have to go and get himl 

Fejevary 

Madeline, don't be so absurd. You don't get people 
out of jail by stopping in and calling for them. 

Madeline 
But you got me. 

Fejevary 

Because of years of influence. At that, it wasn't 
simple. Things of this nature are pretty serious now- 
adays. It wa^ only your ignorance got you out. 

Madeline 

I do seem ignorant. While you were fixing it up 
for me, why didn't you arrange for him too- ? 

Fejevary 

Because I am not in the business of getting foreign 
revolutionists out of jail. 

Madeline 
But he didn't do as much as I did. 



io6 INHERITORS 

Fejevary 

It isn't what he did. It's what he is. We don't wan| 
him here. 

Madeline 

Well I guess I'm not for that ! 

Fejevary 

May I ask why you have appointed yourself guardian 
of these strangers ? 

Madeline 

Perhaps because they are strangers 

Fejevary 
Well they're the wrong kind of strangers. 

Madeline 

Is it true that the Hindu who was here last year is to 
be deported ? Is America going to turn him over to the 
government he fought ? 

Fejevary 

I have an idea they will all be deported. I'm not 
so sorry this thing happened. It will get them into the 
courts — and I don't think they have money to fight. 

Madeline 

[Giving it clean and straight.] Gee, I think that's 
rotten ! 

Fejevary 

Quite likely your inelegance will not affect it ong 
way or the other. 



INHERITORS 107 

Madeline 

\She has taken her seat again ^ is thinking if out.] I'm 
twenty-one next Tuesday. Isn't it on my twenty-first 
birthday I get that money Grandfather Morton left me ? 

Fejevary 
What are you driving at ? 

Madeline 
[Simply.] They can have my money. 

Fejevary 
Are you crazy ? What are these people to you ? 

Madeline 

They're people from the other side of the world who 
came here believing in us, drawn from the far side of 
the world by things we say about ourselves.. Well, I'm 
going to pretend — just for fun — that the things we say 
about ourselves are true. So if you'll — arrange so I 
can get it, Uncle Felix, as soon as it's mine. 

Fejevary 

And this is what you say to me at the close oi my 
years of trusteeship! If you could know how I've 
nursed that little legacy along — imtil now it is — [Break- 
ing off in anger.] I shall not permit you to destroy 
yourself ! 

Madeline 

[Quietly.] I don't see how you can keep me from 
"destroying myself." 



io8 INHERITORS 

Fejevahy 

[Looking at her, seeing that this may he true. In 
genuine amazement, and hurt.] Why — but it's incred- 
ible. Have I — has my house — ^been nothing to you all 
these years? 

Madeline 

I've had my best times at your house. Things 
wouldn't have been — ^very gay for me — ^without you all 
• — though Horace gets my goat ! 

Fejevary 
And does your Aunt Isabel — ^"get your goat? 

Madeline 

I love auntie. [Rather resentfully.'] You know tha?. 
What has that got to do with it ? 

Fejevary 

So you are going to use Silas Morton's money t(? 
knife his college. 

Madeline 
Oh, Uncle Felix, that's silly. 

Fejevary 

It's a long way from silly. You know a little about 
what I'm trying to do — this appropriation that would 
assure our future. If Silas Morton's granddaughter 
casts in her lot with revolutionists, Morton College will 
get no help from the state. Do. you know enough about 
what you are doing to assume this responsibility ? 



INHERITORS 109 

Madeline 

I am not "casting In my lot with revolutionists." I£ 
it's true, as you say, that you have to have money in 
order to get justice — 

Fejevary 

I didn't say it ! 

Madeline 

Why you did, Uncle Felix. You said so. And if it's 
true that these strangers in our country are going to be 
abused because they're poor, — what else could I do with 
my money and not feel like a skunk ? 

Fejevary 

[Trying a different tack, laughing.] Oh, you're a 
romantic girl, Madeline — skunk and all. Rather nice, 
at that. But the thing is perfectly fantastic, from every 
standpoint. You speak as if you had millions. And if 
you did, it wouldn't matter, not really. You are going 
against the spirit of this country; with or without 
money, that can't be done. Take a man like Professor 
Holden. He's radical in his sympathies — but does he 
run out and club the police? 

Madeline 

[In a smoldering way.] 1 thought America was a 
democracy. 

Fejevary 

We have just fought a great war for democracy. 

Madeline 
Well, is that any reason for not having It ? 



no INHERITORS 

Fejevary 

I should think you would have a little emotion about 
the war — about America — ^when you consider where 
your brother is. 

Madeline 

Fred had — all kinds of reasons for going, to France. 
He wanted a trip. [Answering his exclamation.] Why 
he said so. Hearens, Fred didn't make speeches about 
himself. Wanted to see Paris — poor kid, he never did 
see Paris. Wanted to be with a lot of fellows — ^knock 
the Kaiser's block off — end war, get a French girl. It 
was all mixed up — ^the way things are. But Fred was a 
pretty decent sort. I'll say so. He had such kind, 
honest eyes. [This has somehow said itself; her own 
eyes close and what her shut eyes see makes feeling 
hot.] One thing I do know! Fred never went over 
the top and out to back up the argument you're making 
now! 

Fejevary 

[Stiffly.] Very well, I will discontinue the argument 
I'm making now. I've been trying to save you from — 
pretty serious things. The regret of having stood in the 
way of Morton College — [his voice falling] the horror 
of having driven your father insane. 

Madeline 

What? 

Fejevary 

One more thing would do It. Just the other day I was 
talking with Professor Holden about your father. His 
idea of him relates back to the pioneer life — another 



INHERITORS iii 

price paid for this country. The lives back of him were 
too hard. Your greatgrandmother Morton — the first 
white woman in this region — she dared too much, was 
too lonely, feared and bore too much. They did it, for 
the task gave them a courage for the task. But it — ^left 
a scar. 

Madeline 

And father is that — [can hardly say it] — scar. 
[Fighting the idea.] But Grandfather Morton was not 
like that. 

Fejevary 

No; he had the vision of the future; he was robust 
with feeling for others, [Gently.] But Holden feels 
your father is the — dwarfed pioneer child. The way 
he concentrates on com — excludes all else — as If unable 
to free himself from their old battle with the earth. 

Madeline 

[Almost crying.] I think it's pretty terrible to — wish 
all that on poor father. 

Fejevary 

Well, my dear child, it's life has "wished it on him." 
It's just one other way of paying the price for this 
country. We needn't get it for nothing. I feel that all 
our chivalry should go to your father in his — ^heritage 
of loneliness. 

Madeline 

Father couldn't always have been — ^dwarfed. Mother 
wouldn't have cared for him if he had always been — like 
that. 



112 INHERITORS 

Fejevary 

No, if he could have had love to live in. But no en- 
durance for losing it. Too much had been endured 
just before life got to him. 

Madeline 

Do you know, Uncle Felix — I'm' afraid that's true? 
[He nods.] Sometimes when I'm with father, I feel 
those things near — the — the too much — the too hard, — 
feel them as you'd feel the cold. And now that it's 
different — easier — he can't come into the world that's 
been earned. Oh, I wish I could help him ! 

[As they sit there together, now for the 
first time really together, there is a 
shrill shout of derision outside. 

Madeline 

What's that? [A whistled call] Horace! That's 
Horace's call. That's for his gang. Are they going 
to start something now that will get Atma in jail? 

Fejevary 

More likely he's trying to start something. [They 
are both listening intently.] I don't think our boys 
will stand much more. 

[A scoffing whoop, Madeline springs 
to the window; he reaches in ahead 
and holds it. 

Fejevary 
This window stays closed. 

[She starts to go away, he takes hold of 
her. 



INHERITORS 113 

Madeline 
You think you can keep me in here ? 

Fejevary 

Listen, Madeline — plain, straight truth. If you go 
out there and get in trouble a second time, I can't make 
it right for you. 

Madeline 
You needn't ! 

Fejevary 

You don't know what it means. These things are not 
child's play — not today. You could get twenty years in 
prison for things you'll say if you rush out there now. 
[She laughs.] You laugh because you're ignorant. Do 
you know that in America today there are women in our 
prisons for saying no more than you've said here to me ! 

Madeline 
Then you ought to be ashamed of yourself ! 

Fejevary 
I ? Ashamed of myself ? 

Madeline 

Yes! Aren't you an American ? [A whistle.] Isn't 
that a policeman's whistle? Are they coming back? 
Are they hanging around here to — [Pulling away from 
her .uncle as he turns to look, she jumps up in the deep 
sill and throws open the window. Calling down.] 
Here — Officer — You — ^Let that boy alone ! 



114 INHERITORS 

Fejevary 

[Going left, calling sharply.] Holden. Professor 
Holden — ^here — quick ! 

Voice 

[Coming up from below, outside.] Who says so? 

Madeline 

I say so ! 

Voice 

And who are you talking for? 

Madeline 

I am talking for Morton College ! 

Fejevary 

[Returning — followed, reluctantly, by Holden.] In- 
deed you are not. Close that window or you'll be ex- 
pelled from Morton College. 

[Sounds of a growing crowd outside. 

Voice 
Didn't I see you at the station ? 

Madeline 

Sure you saw me at the station. And you'll see me 
there again, if you come bullying around here. You're 
not what this place is for ! [Her uncle comes up be- 
hind, right, and tries to close the window — she holds if 
out.] My grandfather gave this hill to Morton College 
— R place where anybody — from any land — can come 
and say what he believes to be true ! Why you poor 
simp — this is America! Beat it from here! Atma! 



INHERITORS 115 

Don't let him take hold of you like that ! He has no 

right to — Oh, let me down there ! 

[Springs down, would go off right, her 
uncle spreads, out his arms to block 
that passage. She turns to, go the 
other way. 

Fejevary 

Holden! Bring her to her senses. Stand there. 
[HoLDEN has not moved from the place he entered, 
left, and so blocks the doorway.^ Don't let her pass. 

{^Shouts of derision outside. 

Madeline 

You think you can keep me in here — with that going 
on out there ? 

[Moves nearer Holden, stands there be- 
fore him, taut, looking him straight 
in the eye. After a moment, slowly, 
as one compelled, he steps aside for 
her to pass. Sound of her running 
footsteps. The two men's eyes meet. 
A door slams. 



[Curtain] 



ACT THREE 

Scene: At the Morton place, the same room in 
which Silas Morton told his friend Felix Fejevary 
of his plan for the hill. The room has not altogether 
changed since that day in i8^p. The table around which 
they dreamed for the race is in its old place. One of 
the old chairs is there, the other two are modern chairs. 
In a corner is the rocker in which Grandmother Mor- 
ton sat. This is early afternoon, a week after the events 
of Act Two. 

Madeline is sitting at the table, in her hand a torn 
wrinkled piece of brown paper — peering at writing al- 
most too fine to read. After a moment her hand goes 
out to a beautiful dish on the table — an old dish of 
colored Hungarian glass. She is about to take some- 
thing from this, but instead lets her hand rest an instant 
on the dish itself. Then turns and through the open 
door looks out at the hill, sitting where her Grand- 
father Morton sat when he looked out at the hilt. 

Her father, Ira Morton, appears outside, walking 
past then window, left. He enters carrying a grain sack, 
partly filled. He seems hardly aware of Madeline, 
but taking a chair near the door, turned from, her, opens 
the sack and takes out a couple of ears of corn. As he 
is bent over them, examining in a shrewd, greedy way, 
Madeline looks at that lean, tormented, rather desper- 
ate profile, the look of one confirming a thing she fears. 
Then takes up her piece of paper. 

ii6 



INHERITORS 117 

Madeline 

Do you remember Fred Jordan, father? Friend of 
pur Fred — ^and of mine ? 

Ira 

[Not wanting to take his mind from the corn.} No. 
I don't remember him. 

[His voice has that timbre of one not re- 
lated to others. 

Madeline 
He's in prison now. 

Ira 

Well, I can't help that. [After taking out another 
ear.] This is the best com I ever had. 

[He says it gloatingly, to himself. 

Madeline 

He got this letter out to me — written on this scrap 
of paper. They don't give him paper. [Peering.] 
Written so fine I can hardly read it. He's in what they 
call "the hole," father — a punishment cell. [With 
difficulty reading it. ] It's two and a hal f feet at one end, 
three feet at the other end, and six feet long. He'd 
been there ten days when he wrote this. He gets two 1 
slices of bread a day ; he gets water ; that's all he gets. 
This because he balled the deputy warden out for chain- 
ing another prisoner up by the wrists. 

Ira 

Well, he'd better a-minded his own business. And 
you better mind yours. I've got no money to spend in 



ii8 INHERITORS 

the courts. [With excitement.] I'll not mortgage this 
farm ! It's been clear since the day my father's father 
got it from the government — and it stays clear — ^till I'm 
gone. It grows the best com in the state — ^best corn in 
the Mississippi Valley. Not for anything — you hear 
me? — ^would I mortgage this farm my father handed 
down to me. 

Madeline 
[Hurt.] Well, father, I'm not asking you to. 

Ira 

Then go and see your Uncle Felix. Make it up with 
him. He'll help you — if you say you're sorry. 

Madeline 
I'll not go to Uncle Felix 

Ira 

Who will you go to then ? [Pause.] Who will help 
you then? [Again he waits.] You come before this 
United States Commissioner with no one behind you, 
he'll hold you for the grand jury. Judge Watkins told 
Felix there's not a doubt of it. You know what that 
means ? It means you're on your way to a cell. Nice 
thing for a Morton, people who've had their own land 
since we got it from the Indians. What's the matter 
with your uncle? Ain't he always been good to you? 
I'd like to know what things would 'a been for you with- 
out Felix and Isabel and all their friends. You want 
to think a little. You like good times too well to throw 
all that away. 



INHERITORS 119 

Madeline 
I do like g^ood times. So does Fred Jordan like good 
times. [Smooths the wrinkled paper.] I don't know 
anybody — imless it is myself — loves to be out, as he 
does. [She tries to look out, but cannot; sits very still, 
seeing what it is pain to see. Rises, goes to that corner 
closet, the same one from which Silas Morton took 
the deed to the hill. She gets a yard stick, looks in: a 
hox and finds a piece of chalk. On the floor she marks 
off Fred Jordan's cell. Slowly, at the end left un- 
chalked, as for a door, she goes in. Her hand goes up, 
as against a wall; looks at her other hand, sees it is out 
too far, brings it in, giving herself the width of the cell. 
Walks its length, halts, looks up. ] And one window — 
too high up to see out. 

[In the moment she stands there, she is in 
that cell; she is all the people who 
are in those cells. Emil Johnson 
appears from outside; he is the 
young man brought up on a farm, a 
crudely Americanised Swede, 

Madeline 

[Stepping out of the cell door, and around it.] Hello, 
Emil. 

Emil 

How are you, Madeline? How do, Mr. Morton. 
[Ira barely nods and does not turn. In an excited man- 
ner he begins gathering up the corn he has taken from 
'the sack. Emil turns back to Madeline.] Well, I'm 
Just from the courthouse. Looks like you and I might 
take a ride together, Madeline. You come before the 
Commissioner at four. 



I20 INHERITORS 

Ira 

/What have you got to do with it? 
Madeline 

Oh, Emil has a courthouse job now, father. He's 
part of the law. 

Ira 

Well, he's not going to take you to the law ! Anybody 
else — not Emil Johnson! 

Madeline 

[Astonished — and gently, to make up for his rude- 
ness.] Why — father, why not Emil? Since I'm going, 
I think it's nice to go in with someone I know — with a 
neighbor like Emil. 

Ira 

If this is what he lived for ! If this is why — 

[He twists the ear of corn until some of 
the kernels drop off. Madeline and 
Emil look at one another in bewilder- 
ment. 

Emil 

It's too bad anybody has to take Madeline in. I 
should think your uncle could fix it up. [Low.] And 
with your father taking it like this — [To help Ira.] 
That's fine corn, Mr. Morton. My corn's getting better 
all the time, but I'd like to get some of this for seed. 

Ira 

[Rising and turning on him.] You get my com? I 
raise this corn for you? [Not to them — his mind now 



INHERITORS 121 

going where it is shut off from any other mind.] I£ 
I could make the wind stand still ! I want to turn the 
wind around. 

Madeline 

[Going to him.] Why — father. I don't understand 
at all. 

Ira 

Don't understand. Nobody understands. [A curse 
with a sob in it.] God damn the wind! 

[Sits down, his back to thent. 

Emil 

[After a silence.] Well, I'll go. [But he continues 
to look at Ira, who is holding the sack of corn shut, as 
if someone may take it.] Too bad — [Stopped by a sign 
from Madeline, not to speak of it.] Well, I was say- 
ing, I have to go on to Beard's Crossing. I'll stop for 
you on my way back. [ Confidentially. ] Couldn't you 
telephone your uncle? He could do something. You 
don't know what you're going up against. You heard 
what the Hindus got, I suppose. 

Madeline 

No. I haven't seen anyone today. 

Emil 

They're held for the grand jury. They're locked up 
now. No bail for them. I've got the inside dope about 
them. They're going to get what this country can hand 
*em ; then after we've given them a nice little taste of 
prison life in America, they're going to be sent back 
home — ^to see what India can treat them to. 



122 INHERITORS 

Madeline 
Why are you so pleased about this, Emil ? 

Emil 

Pleased? It's nothin' to me — rm just telling you. 
Guess you don't know much about the Espionage Act 
or you'd go and make a little friendly call on your uncle. 
When your case comes to trial — and Judge Lenon may- 
be on the bench — [Whistles.] He's one fiend for 
Americanism. But if your uncle was to tell the right 
parties that you're just a girl, and didn't realize what 
you were saying — 

Madeline 

I did realize what I was saying, and every word 
you've just said makes me know I meant what I said. 
I said if this was what our country has come to then I'm 
not for our country. I said that — and a-plenty more — 
and I'll say it again ! 

Emil 

Well — gee, you don't know what it means. 

Madeline 

I do know what it means, but it means not being a 
coward. 

Emil 

Oh, well — Lord, you can't say everything you think. 
If everybody did that, things'd be worse off than they 
are now. 

Madeline 

Once in a while you have to say what you think — or 
hate yourself. 



INHERITORS 123 

Emil 
[With a grin.] Then hate yourself. 

Madeline 
{[Smiling too.] No thank you ; it spoils my fun. 

Emil 

Well, look-a-here, Madeline, aren't you spoiling your 
fun now ? You're a girl likes, to be out. Ain't I seen 
you from our place, with this one and that one, some- 
times all by yourself, strikin' out over the country as if 
you was crazy about it? How'd you like to be where 
you couldn't even see out? 

Madeline 

[A step nearer the cell.] There oughtn't to be such 
places. 

Emil 

Oh, well — Jesus, if you're going to talk about that — ! 
You can't change the way things are. 

Madeline 
[Quietly.] Why can't I? 

Emil 
Well, say, who do you think you are? 

Madeline 

I think I'm an American. And for that reason I 
think I have something to. say about America. 

Emil 
Huh ! America'U lock you up for your pains. 



124 INHERITORS 

Madeline 

All right. If it's come to that, maybe I'd rather he a 
locked up American than a free American. 

Emil 

I don't think you'd like the place, Madeline. There's 
not much tennis played there. Jesus — what's Hindus? 

Madeline 

You aren't really asking Jesus, are you, Emil? 
[Smiles.] You mightn't like his answer. 

Emil 

[From the door.] Take a tip. Telephone your 
uncle. 

[He goes. 

Ira 

[Not looking at her.] There might be a fine, and 
they'd come down on me and take my land. 

Madeline 

Oh, no, father, I think not. Anyway, I have a little 
money of my own. Grandfather Morton left me some- 
thing. Have you forgotten that ? 

Ira 

No. No, I know he left you something. [The words 
seem to bother him.] I know he left you something. 

Madeline 

I get it today. [Wistfully.] This is my birthday, 
father. I'm twenty-one. 



INHERITORS 125 

Ira 

Your birthday ? Twenty-one? [In pain.] Was that 
twenty-one years ago ? 

[It is not to his daughter this has turned 



Madeline 

It's the first birthday I can remember that I haven't 
had a party. 

Ira 

It was your Aunt Isabel gave you your parties 
Madeline 

Yes. 

Ira 

Well, you see now. 

Madeline 

[Stoutly.] Oh, well, I don't need a party. I'm 
grown up now. 

[She reaches out for the old Hungarian 
dish on the table; holding it, she looks 
to her father, whose back is still 
turned. Her face tender, she is about 
to speak when he speaks. 

Ira 

Grown up now — and going off and leaving me alone. 
You too — the last one. And — what for? [Turning, 
looking around the room as for those long gone.] 
There used to be so many in this house. My grand- 
mother. She sat there. [Pointing to the place near the 
open door.] Fine days like this — ^in that chair [points 



126 INHERITORS 

to the rocker] she'd sit there — tell me stories of the 
Indians. Father. It wasn't ever lonely where father 
was. Then Madeline Fejevary — ^my Madeline came to 
this house. Lived with me in this house. Then one day 
she — walked out of this house. Through that door — 
through the field — out of this house. [Bitter silence.] 
Then Fred — out of this house. Now you. With Emil 
Johnson ! [Insanely, and almost with relief at leaving 
things more sane.] Don't let him touch my corn. If 
he touches one kernel of this corn! [With the sus- 
picion of the tormented mind.] I wonder where he 
went ? How do I know he went where he said he was 
going? [Getting up.] I dunno as that south bin's 
locked. 

Madeline 

Oh— father ! 

Ira 

I'll find out. How do I know what he's doing? 

[He goes out, turning left. Madeline 
goes to the imndow and looks after 
him. A montent later, hearing some 
one at the door, she turns and finds 
her Aunt Isabel, who has appeared 
from right. Goes swiftly to her, 
hands out. 

Madeline 

Oh, auntie — I'm glad you came \ It's my birthday, 
and I'm — ^lonely. 

Aunt Isabel 

You dear little girl ! [Again giving her a hug, which 
Madeline returns, lovingly.] Don't I know it's your 



INHERITORS 127 

birthday? Don't think that day will ever get by while 
your Aunt Isabel's around. Just see what's here for 
your birthday. 

[Hands her the package she is carrying. 

Madeline 

[With a gasp — suspecting from its shape.] Oh! 
[Her face aglow.] Why — is it? 

Aunt Isabel 

[Laughing affectionately.] Foolish child, open it 
and see. 

[Madeline loosens the paper and pulls 
out a tennis racket. 

Madeline 

[Excited, and moved.] Oh, Aunt Isabel ! — that was 
dear of you. I shouldn't have thought you'd — quite do 
that. 

Aunt Isabel 

I couldn't imagine Madeline without a racket. 
[Gathering up the paper, lightly reproachful.] But be 
a little careful of it, Madeline. It's meant for tennis 
balls. 

[They laugh together. 

Madeline 

[Making a return with it.] It's a peach. [Chang- 
ing.] Wonder where I'll play now. 

Aunt Isabel 

Why you'll play on the courts at Morton College. 
Who has a better right ? 



128 INHERITORS 

Madeline 

Oh, I don't know. It's pretty much balled up, isn't 
it? 

Aunt Isabel 

Yes ; we'll have to get it straightened out. [Gently.] 
It was really dreadful of you, Madeline, to rush out a 
second time. It isn't as if they were people who were 
anything to you. 

Madeline 

But, auntie, they are something to me. 

Aunt Isabel 

Oh, dear, that's what Horace said. 

Madeline 

What's what Horace said ? 

Aunt Isabel 
That you must have a case on one of them. 

Madeline 

That's what Horace would say. That makes me 
sore! 

Aunt Isabel 

I'm sorry I spoke of it. Horace is absurd in some 
ways. 

Madeline 
He's a — 

Aunt Isabel 

[Stopping it with her hand.] No, he isn't. He's a 
headstrong boy, but a very loving one. He's dear with 

me, Madeline. 



INHERITORS 129 

Madeline 
Yes. You are g'ood to each other. 

[Her eyes are drawn to the cell. 

Aunt Isabel 
0£ course we are. We'd be a pretty poor sort if we 
weren't. And these are days when we have to stand to- 
gether — all of us who are the same kind of people must 
stand together because the thing that makes us the same 
kind of people is threatened. 

Madeline 
Don't you think we're rather threatening it ourselves, 
auntie ? 

Aunt Isabel 
Why, no, we're fighting for it. 

Madeline 
Fighting for what "^ 

Aunt Isabel 
For Americanism ; for — democracy. 

Madeline 
Horace is fighting for it ? 

Aunt Isabel 
Well, Horace does go at it as if it were a football 
game, but his heart's in the right place. 

Madeline 
Somehow, I don't seem to see my heart in that place. 

Aunt Isabel 
In what place? 



130 INHERITORS 

Madeline 
Where Horace's heart is. 

Aunt Isabel 
It's too bad you and Horace quarrel. But you and 
I don't quarrel, Madehne. 

Madeline 

[Again drawn to the cell.] No. You and I don't 
quarrel. 

[She is troubled. 

Aunt Isabel 

Funny child! Do you want us to? 

[Madeline turns, laughing a little, takes 
the dish from the tMe, hold it out to 
Her aunt. 

Madeline 
Have some fudge, auntie. 

Aunt Isabel 

[ Taking the dish. ] Do you u^e them ? — the old Hun- 
garian dishes? [Laughingly.] I'm not allowed to — 
your uncle is so choice of the few pieces we have. And 
here are you with fudge in one of them. 

Madeline 

I made the fudge because — oh, I don't know, I had to 
do something to celebrate my birthday. 

Aunt Isabel 
[Under her breath.] Dearie! 



INHERITORS 131 

Madeline 
And then that didn't seem to — ^make a birthday, so 
I happened to see this, way up on a top shelf, and I 
remembered that it was my mother's. It was nice to 
get it down and use it — ^^almost as if mother was giving 
me a birthday present. 

Aunt Isabel 

And how she would love to give you a birthday 
present. 

Madeline 

It was her mother's, I suppose, and they brought it 
from Hungary. 

Aunt Isabel 

Yes. They brought only a very few things with them, 
and left — oh so many beautiful ones behind. 
Madeline 

[Quietly.] Rather nice of them, wasn't it? [Her 
aunt waits inquiringly.] To leave their own beautiful 
things — their own beautiful life behind — simply because 
they believed life should be more beautiful for more 
people. 

Aunt Isabel 

[With constraint.] Yes. [Gayly turning it.] Well, 
now, as to the birthday. What do you suppose Sarah 
is doing this instant? Putting red frosting on white 
frosting. [Writing it with her finger.] Madeline. 
And what do you suppose Horace is doing? [This a 
little reproachfully.] Running around buying twenty- 
one red candles. Twenty-two — one to grow on. Big 
birthday cake. Party tonight. 

Madeline 
But, auntie, I don't see how I can be there. 



132 INHERITORS 

Aunt Isabel 

Listen, dear. Now, we've got to use our wits and all 
pull together. Of course, we'd do anything in the world 
rather than see you — left to outsiders. I've never seen 
your uncle as worried, and — truly, Madeline, as sad. 
Oh, my dear, it's these human things that count ! What 
would life be without the love we have for each other ? 



Madeline 
The love we have for each other? 

Aunt Isabel 

Why, yes, dearest. Don't turn away from me, Made- 
line. Don't — don't be strange. I wonder if you realize 
how your uncle has worked to have life a happy thing 
for all of us.f* Be a little generous to him. He's had 
this great burden of bringing something from another 
day on into this day. It is not as simple as it may seem. 
He's done it as best he could. It will hurt him as 
nothing has ever hurt him if you now undo that work 
of his life. Truly, dear, do you feel you know enough 
about it to do that ? Another thing : people are a little 
absurd out of their own places. We need to be held in 
our relationships — against our background — or we are 
— I don't know — grotesque. Come now, Madeline, 
Where's your sense of humor? Isn't it a little absurd 
for you to leave home over India's form of government ? 

Madeline 

It's not India. It's America. A sense of humor is 
nothing to hide behind! 



INHERITORS 133 

Aunt Isabel 
\With a laugh.] I knew I wouldn't be a success at 
world affairs — better leave that to Professor Holden. 
[A quick keen look from Madeline.] They've driven 
on to the river — ^they'll be back for me, and then he 
wants to stop in for a visit with you while I take Mrs. 
Holden for a further ride. I'm worried about her. She 
doesn't gain strength at all since her operation. I'm 
going to try keeping her out in the air all I can. 

Madeline 
It's dreadful about families ! 

Aunt Isabel 
Dreadful ? Professor Holden's devotion to his wife 
is one of the most beautiful things I've ever seen. 

Madeline 
And is that all you see it in ? 

Aunt Isabel 
You mean the — responsibility it brings? Oh, well 
— that's what life is. Doing for one another. Sacrific- 
ing for one another. 

Madeline 
I hope I never have a family. 

Aunt Isabel 
Well, I hope you do. You'll miss the best of life if 
you don't. Anyway, you have a family. Where is your 
father.? 

Madeline 

I don't know. 



134 INHERITORS 

Aunt Isabei 
I'd like to see him. 

Madeline 
There's no use seeing him today. 

Aunt Isabel 

He's—? 

Madeline 

Strange — shut in — afraid something's going to be 
taken from him. 

Aunt Isabel 

Poor Ira. So much has been taken from him. And 
now you. Don't hurt him again. Madehne. He can't 
bear it. You see what it does to him. 

Madeline 
He has — ^the wrong idea about things. 

Aunt Isabel 

"The wrong idea!" Oh, my child — ^that's awfully 
young and hard. It's so much deeper than that. Life 
has made him into something — something he can't es- 
cape. 

Madeline 

[With what seems sullenness.] Well, I don't want 
to be made into that thing. 

Aunt Isabel 

Of course not. But you want td help him, don't 
you ? Now dear — about your birthday party — 



INHERITORS 135 

Madeline 

The United States Commissioner is giving me my 
birthday party. 

Aunt Isabel 

Well, he'll have to put his party off. Your uncle has 
been thinking it all out. We're to go to his office and 
you'll have a talk with him and with Judge Watkins. 
He's off the state supreme bench now — practicing again, 
and as a favor to your uncle he will be your lawyer. 
You don't know how relieved we are at this, for Judge 
Watkins can do — ^anything he wants to do, practically. 
. Then you and I will go on home and call up some of the 
crowd to come in and dance tonight. We have some 
beautiful new records. There's a Hungarian waltz — 

Madeline 
And what's the price of all this, auntie ? 

Aunt Isabel 
The — Oh, you mean — Why simply say you felt sorry 
for the Hindu students because they seemed rather 
alone; that you hadn't realized — ^what they were, 
hadn't thought out what you were saying — 

Madeline 
And that I'm sorry and will never do it again. 

Aunt Isabel 
I don't know that you need say that. It would be 
gracious, I think, to indicate it. 

Madeline 
|I'm sorry you — had the cake made, I suppose you 
can eat it, anyway . I \twnmg away'\ — can't eat it. 



136 INHERITORS 

Aunt Isabel 

Why — Madeline. 

^Seeing how she has hurt her, Madeline 
goes to her aunt. 

Madeline 

Auntie, dear ! I'm sorry — if I hurt your feelings. 

Aunt Isabel 

[Quick to hold out a loving hand, laughing a little.] 
They've been good birthday cakes, haven't they, Made- 
eline ? 

Madeline 

[She now trying not to cry.] I don't know — ^what I'd 
have done without them. Don't know — what I will do 
without them. I don't — see it. 

Aunt Isabel 

Don't try to. Please don't see it ! Just let me go on 
helping you. That's all I ask. [She droms Madeline 
to her.] Ah, dearie, I held you when you were a little 
baby without your mother. All those years count for 
something, Madeline. There's just nothing to life if 
years of love don't coimt for something. [Listening.] 
I think I hear them. And here are we, weeping like two 
idiots. [Madeline brushes away tears, Aunt Isabel 
arranges her veil, regaining her usual poise.] Pro- 
fessor Holden was hoping you'd take a tramp with him. 
Wouldn't that do you good ? Anyway, a talk with him 
will be nice. I know he admires you immensely, and 
really — perhaps I shouldn't let you know this — sympa- 
thizes with your feeling. So I think his maturer way 
of looking at things will show you just the adjustment 



INHERITORS 137 

you need to become a really big and useful person. 
There's so much to be done in the world, Madeline. Of 
course we ought to make it a better world, [/w a man- 
ner of agreement with Madeline.] I feel very 
strongly about all that. Perhaps we can do some 
things together. I'd love that. Don't think I'm hope- 
less ! Way down deep we have the same feeling. Yes, 
here's Professor Holden. 

[HoLDEN comes in. He seems older. 

HOLDEN 

And how are you, Madeline ? 

\Holding 'out his hand. 

Madeline 
I'm — all right. 

Holden 

Many happy returns of the day. [Ewrharrassed by 
her half laugh.] The birthday. 

Aunt Isabel 
And did you have a nice look up the river? 

Holden 

I never saw this country as lovely as it Is today. 
Mary is just drinking it in. , 

Aunt Isabel 
You don't think the further ride will be too much? 

Holden 
Oh, no — ^not in that car. 



138 INHERITORS 

Aunt Isabel 

Then we'll go on — ^perhaps as far as Laughing Creek. 
If you two decide on a tramp — take that road and we'll 
pick you up. 

'[Smiling warmly she goes out. 

HOLDEN 

How good she is. 

Madeline 
Yes. That's just the trouble. 

HOLDEN 

[With difficulty getting past this.] How about a 
little tramp ? There'll never be another such day. 

Madeline 

I used to tramp with Fred Jordan. This is where he 
is now. [Stepping inside the cell.] He doesn't even 
see out. 

HoLDEN 

It's all wrong that he should be where he is. But for 
you to stay indoors won't help him, Madeline. 

Madeline 
It won't help him, but — today — I can't go out. 

Holden 

I'm sorry, my child. When this sense of wrongs done 
first comes down upon one, it does crush. 

Madeline 
And later you get used to it and don't care. 



INHERITORS 139 

HOLDEN 

You care. You tiy not to destroy yourself need- 
lessly. 

\^He turns from her look. 

Madeline 
Play safe. 

HoLDEN 

If it's playing safe it's that one you love more than 
yourself be safe. It would be a luxury to — destroy 
one's self. 

Madeline 

That sounds like Uncle Felix. [^Seeing she has hurt 
him, she goes over and sits across from him at the 
table.] I'm sorry. I say the wrong things today. 

HoLDEN 

I don't know that you do. 

Madeline 

But isn't uncle funny ? His left mind doesn't know 
what his right mind is doing. He has to think of him- 
self as a person of sentiment — idealism, and — quite a 
job, at times. Clever — how he gets away with it. The 
war must have been a godsend to people who were in 
danger of getting on to themselves. But I should think 
you could fool all of yourself all the time. 

Holden 

You don't. 

l^He is rubbing his hand on the table. 



140 INHERITORS 

Madeline 

Grandfather Morton made this table. I suppose he 
and Grandfather Fejevary used to sit here and talk — 
they were great old pals. [Slowly Holden turns and 
looks out at the hill.] Yes. How beautiful the hill 
must have been — ^before there was a college there. [He 
looks away from the hill.] Did you know Grandfather 
Morton ? 

Holden 

Yes, I knew him. {Speaking of it against his will.] 
I had a wonderful talk with him once; about Greece — 
and the cornfields, and life. 

Madeline 

I'd like to have been a pioneer I Some ways they had 
it fierce, but think of the f im they had ! A whole big 
land to open up ! A big new life to begin ! [Her hands 
closing in from wideness to a smaller thing.] Why did 
so much get shut out ? Just a little way back — anything 
might have been. What happened ? 

Holden 
[Speaking with difficulty.] It got — set too soon. 

Madeline 

[All of her mind open, trying to know.] And why 
did it? Prosperous, I suppose. That seems to set 
things — set them in fear. Silas Morton wasn't afraid 
of Felix Fejevary, the Hungarian revolutionist. He 
laid this country at that refugee's feet! That's what 
Uncle Felix says himself — with the left half of his 
mind. Now — ^the Hindu revolutionists — ! [Pause.] 
I took a walk late yesterday afternoon. Night came, 



' INHERITORS 141 

and for some reason I thought of how many nights have 
come — ^nights the earth has known long before we knew 
the earth. The moon came up and I thought of how 
moonhght made this coimtry beautiful before any man 
knew that moonlight was beautiful. It gave me a feel- 
ing of coming from something a long way back. Mov- 
ing toward — ^what will be here when I'm not here. 
Moving. We seem here, now, in America, to have 
forgotton we're moving. Think it's just us — ^just now. 
Of course, that would make us afraid, and — ridiculous. 

l^Her father comes in. 
Ira 
Your Aunt Isabel — did she go away — ^and leave you ? 

Madeline 

She's coming back. 

Ira 

For you? 

Madeline 

She — wants me to go with her. This Is Professor 
Holden, father. 

Holden 

How do you do, Mr. Morton? 

Ira 

[Nods, not noticing Holden's offered Hand.'] How 
'do. When is she coming back ? 

Madeline 
Span. 

Ira 
And then you're going with her? 



142 INHERITORS 

Madeline 

I — don't know. 

Ira 

I say you go with her. You want them all to come 
down on us? [To Holden.] What are you here for? 

Madeline 
Aunt Isabel brought Professor Holden, father. 

Ira 

Oh. Then you — ^you tell her what to do. You make 
her do it. 

[He goes into the room at left, 

Madeline 

[Sadly, after a silence.] Father's like something 
touched by an early frost. 

Holden 

Yes. [Seeing his opening and forcing himself to 
take it.] But do you know, MadeHne, there are other 
ways of that happening — "touched by an early frost." 
I've seen it happen to people I know — ^people of fine and 
daring mind. They do a thing that puts them apart — 
it may be the big, brave thing — but the apartness does 
something to them. I've seen it many times — so many 
times, I fear for you. You do this thing and you'll find 
yourself with people who^ in many ways you don't care 
for at all ; find yourself apart from people who in most 
ways are your own people. You're many-sided, Made- 
line. [Moves her tennis racket.] I don't know about 
it's all going to one side. I hate to see you, so young. 



INHERITORS 143 

close a door on so much of life. I'm being just as 
honest with you as I know how. I myself am making 
compromises to stay within. I don't like it, but there 
are — reasons for doing it. I can't see you leave that 
main body without telling you all it is you are leaving. 
It's not a clean-cut case — the side of the world or the 
side of the angels. I hate to see you lose the — fullness 
of life. 

Madeline 

[A slight start, as she realises the pause. As one re' 
called from far.] I'm sorry. I was listening to what 
you were saying — ^but all the time — something else was 
happening. Grandfather Morton, big and — oh, terri- 
ble. He was here. And he went to that walled up hole 
in the ground [Rising and pointing down at the chalked 
cell] where they keep Fred Jordan on bread and water 
because he couldn't be a part of nations of men killing 
each other — and Silas Morton — only he was all 
that Is back of us, tore open that cell — it was his 
voice tore it open — his voice as he cried, "God damn 
you, this is America!" [Sitting down, as if rallying 
from a tremendous experience.] I'm, sorry — ^it should 
have happened, while you were speaking. Won't you — 
go on? 

HOLDEN 

That's a pretty hard thing to go on against. {After 
a moment.] I can't go on. 

Madeline 
You were thinking of leaving the college, and then — 
decided to stay? [He nods.] And you feel there's 
more — fullness of life for you inside the college than 
outside ? 



144 INHERITORS 

HOLDEN 

No — not exactly. [Again a pause.] It's very hard 
for me to talk to you. 

Madeline 
[Gently.] Perhaps we needn't do it. 

HOLDEN 

[Something in hint forcing him to say if.] I'm stay- 
ing for financial reasons. 

Madeline 

[Kind, but not going to let the truth get away.] You 
don't think that — having to stay within — or deciding to, 
rather, makes you think these things of the — ^blight of 
being without ? 

Holden 

I think there is danger to you m — so young, becom- 
ing alien to society. 

Madeline 

As great as the danger of staying within — ^and be- 
coming like the thing I'm within? 

Holden 
You wouldn't become like it. 

Madeline 

Why wouldn't I ? That's what it does to the rest of 
you. I don't see it — this fullness' of life business. I 
don't see that Uncle Felix has got it — or even Aimt 
Isabel, and you — I think that in buying it you're losing 
it. 



INHERITORS 145 

HOLDEN 

I don't think you know what a cruel thing you are 
paying. 

Madeline 

There must be something pretty rotten about Morton 
College if you have to sell your soul to stay in it I 

HOLDEN 

You don't "sell your soul." You persuade yourself 
to wait. 

Madeline 

[Unable to look at him, as if feeling shame.] You 
have had a talk with Uncle Felix since that day in the 
library you stepped aside for me to pass. 

HOLDEN 

Yes ; and with my wife's physician. If you sell your 
soul — it's to love you sell it. 

Madeline 

[Low.] That's strange. It's love that — ^brings life 
along, and then it's love — holds life back. 

Holden 

[And all the time with this effort against hopeless- 
ness.] Leaving me out of it, I'd like to see you give 
yourself a little more chance for detachment. You need 
a better intellectual equipment if you're going to fight 
the world you find yourself in. I think you will 
count for more if you wait and when you strike, 
strike more maturely. 



146 INHERITORS 

Madeline 

Detachment. [Pause.] This is one thing they do 
at that place. [She moves to the open door.] Chain 
them up to the bars — ^just hke this. [In the doorway 
where her two grandfathers once pledged faith with the 
dreams of a million years, she raises clasped hands as 
high as they will go.] Eight hours a day — day after 
day. Just hold your arms up like this one hour then sit 
down and think about — [As if tortured by all who have 
been so tortured, her body begins to give with sobs, 
arms drop, the last word is a sob.] detachment. 

[HoLDEN is standing helplessly by when 
her father comes in. 

Ira 

[Wildly.] Don't <:ry. No! Not in this house! I 
can't — Your aunt and uncle will fix it up. The law 
won't take you this time — and you won't do it again. 

Madeline 
Oh, what does that matter — what they do to me? 

Ira 
What you crying about then ? 

Madeline 
It's — ^the world. It's — 

Ira 

The world? If that's all you've got to" cry about! 
[To Holden.] Tell her that's nothing to cry about. 
What's the matter with you, Mad'line ? That's crazy — 
cryin' about the world ! What good has ever come to 



INHERITORS I47 

this nouse through carin' about the world? What 
good's that college ? Better we had that hill. Why is 
there no one in this house today but me and you? 
Where's your mother? Where's your brother? The 
world 

HOLDEN 

I think your father would like to talk to you. I'll go 
outside — walk a little, and come back for you with your 
aunt. You must let us see you through this, Madeline. 
You couldn't bear the things it would bring you to. I 
see that now. [As he passes her in the doorway his 
hand rests an instant on her bent head.] You're worth 
too much to break. 

Ira 

[Turning away.] I don't want to talk to you. What 
good comes of talking? [In moving, he has stepped 
near the sack of corn. Takes hold of it.] But not with 
Emil Johnson! That's not — ^what your mother died 
for. 

Madeline 

Father, you must talk to me. What did my mother 
die for? No one has ever told me about her — except 
that she was beautiful — not like other people here. I 
got a feeling of — something from far away. Something 
from long ago. Rare. Why can't Uncle Felix talk 
about her? Why can't you? Wouldn't she want me 
to know her ? Tell me about her. It's my birthday and 
I need my mother. 

Ira 

[As if afraid he is going to do if.] How can you 
touch — what you've not touched in nineteen years? 
Just once — in nineteen years — and that did no good. 



148 INHERITORS 

Madeline 
Try. Even though it hurts. Didn't you used to talk 
to her ? Well, I'm her daughter. Talk to me. What 
has she to do with Emil Johnson ? 

Ira 

[The pent up thing loosed.] What has she to do 
with him ? She died so he could live. He lives because 
she's dead. [In anguish.] And what is he alongside 
her? Yes. Something from far away. Something 
from long ago. Rare. How'd you know that ? Find- 
ing in me — ^what I didn't know was there. Then she 
came — that ignorant Swede — Emil Johnson's mother — 
running through the cornfield like a crazy woman — 
"Miss Morton! Miss Morton! Come help me! My 
children are choking !" Diphtheria they had — the whole 
of 'em — ^but out of this house she ran — ^my Madeline, 
leaving you — ^her own baby — running fast as she could 
through the cornfield after that immigrant woman. She 
stumbled in the rough field — fell to her knees. That 
was the last I saw of her. She choked to death in that 
Swede's house. They lived. 

Madeline 
[Going to him.] Oh — father. [Voice rich.] But 
how lovely of her. 

Ira 
Lovely? Lovely to leave you without a mother — 
leave me without her after I'd had her? Wasn't she 
worth more than them ? 

Madeline 
[Proudly.] Yes. She was worth so much that she 
never stopped to think how much she was worth. 



INHERITORS 149 

Ira 

Ah, if you'd known her you couldn't take it like that. 
And now you cry about the world ! That's what the 
world is — ^all coming to nothing. My father used to sit 
there at the table and talk about the world — my father 
and her father. They thought 'twas all for something — 
that what you were went on into something more than 
you. That's the talk I always heard in this house. But 
it's just talk. The rare thing that came here was killed 
by the common thing that came here. Just happens — 
and happens cruel. Look at your brother! Gone — 
[snaps his finger] like that. I told him not to go to 
war. He didn't have to go — ^they'd been glad enough to 
have him stay here on the farm. But no, — ^he must — 
make the world safe for democracy ! Well, you see how 
safe he made it, don't you ? Now I'm alone on the farm 
and he — ^buried on some Frenchman's farm. That is, I 
hope they buried him — I hope they didn't just — [tor- 
mented.] 

Madeline 
Oh father — of course not. I know they did. 

Ira 

How do you know ? What do they care — once they 
got him? He talked about the world — ^better world — ■ 
end war. Now he's in his grave — I hope he is — and 
look at the front page of the paper ! No such thing — 
war to end war ! 

Madeline 

But he thought there was, father. Fred believed that 
— so what else could he do ? 



I50 INHERITORS 

Ira 
He could 'a minded his own business. 

Madeline 

No — oh, no. It was fine of him to give his life to 
what he believed should be. 

Ira 

The light in his eyes as he talked of it, now — eyes 
gone — and the world he died for all hate and war. 
Waste. Waste. Nothin' but waste — the life of this 
house. Why folks today'd laugh to hear my father talk. 
He gave his best land for ideas to live. Thought was 
going to make us a better people. What was his word ? 
[Waits.]. Aspiration. [vSay^ it as if it is a far-off 
thing.] Well, look at your friend young Jordan. 
Kicked from the college to prison for ideas of a better 
world. [Laughs.] His "aspiration" puts him in a hole 
on bread and water! So — ^mind your own business, 
that's all that's so in this country. [Constantly tor- 
mented anew.] Oh I told your brother all that — ^the 
night I tried to keep him. Told him about his mother — 
to show what come of running to other folks. And he 
said — standing right there — [pointing] eyes all bright, 
he said, "Golly, I think that's great !" And then he — 
walked out of this house. [Fear takes him.] Madeline ! 
[She stoops over him, her arm around him.] Don't 
you leave me — all alone in this house — where so many 
was once. What's Hindus — alongside your own father 
— and him needing you? It won't be long. After a 
little I'll be dead — or crazy — or something. But not 
here alone — where so many was once. 



INHERITORS 151 

Madeline 
Oh — father. I don't know what to do. 

Ira 

Nothing stays at home. . Not even the corn stays at 
home. If only the wind wouldn't blow ! Why can't I 
have my field to myself? Why can't I keep what's 
mine ? All these years I've worked to make it better. 
I wanted it to be — the most that it could be. My father 
used to talk about the Indians — how our land was their 
land, and how we must be more than them. He had 
his own ideas of bein' more — well, what's that come to? 
The Indians lived happier than we — ^wars, strikes, 
prisons. But I've made the com more ! This land that 
was once Indian maize now grows corn — I'd like to 
have the Indians see my com ! I'd like to see them side 
by side ! — their Indian maize, my corn. And how'd I 
get it ? Ah, by thinkin' — always tryin', changin', carin*. 
Plant this corn by that corn, and the pollen blows from 
corn to com — the golden dust it blows, in the sunshine 
and of nights — ^blows from corn to corn like a — [the 
word hurts] gift. No, you don't understand it, but 
[protidly] corn don't stay what it is ! You can make it 
anything — according to what you do, 'cording to the 
corn it's alongside. [ Changing. ] But that's it. I want 
it to stay in my field. It goes away. The prevailin' 
wind takes it on to the Johnsons — them Swedes that 
took my Madeline ! I hear it ! Oh nights when I can't 
help myself — and in the sunshine I can see it — pollen 
— soft golden dust to make new life — goin' on to them, 
— ^and them too ignorant to know what's makin' their 
com better! I want my field to myself. What'd I 
work all my life for? Work that's had to take the 



152 INHERITORS 

place o' what I lost — is that to go to Emil Johnson? 

No ! The wind shall stand still ! I'll make it. I'll find 

a way. Let me alone and I — I'll think it out. Let me 

alone, I say. 

[A mind burned to one idea, with greedy 
haste he shuts himself in the room 
at left. Madeline has been stand- 
ing there as if mist is parting and 
letting her see. And as the vision 
grows power grows in her. She is 
thus flooded with richer life when 
her aunt and Professor Holden 
tome back. Feeling something neiv, 
for a moment they do not speak. 

Aunt Isabel 
Ready, dear ? It's time for us to go now 

Madeline 

[With the quiet of plentitude.] I'm going in with 
Emil Johnson. 

Aunt Isabel 

Why — Madeline. [Falteringly.] We thought you'd 
go with us. 

Madeline 

No. I have to be — the most I can be. I want the 
wind to have something to carry. 

Aunt Isabel 

\After a look at Professor Holden, who is looking 
intensely at Madeline.] I don't understand. 



INHERITORS 153 

Madeline 

The world is all a — moving field. [Her hands fttove, 
voice too is as of a moving field.] Nothing is to itself. 
If America thinks so — ^America is like father. I don't 
feel alone any more. The wind has come through — ■ 
wind rich from lives now gone. Grandfather Fejevary, 
gift from a field far olif. Silas Morton. No, not alone 
any more. And afraid? I'm not even afraid of being 
absurd ! 

Aunt Isabel 
But Madeline — ^you're leaving your father? 

Madeline 

[After thinking it out.] I'm not leaving — ^what's 
greater in him than he knows. 

Aunt Isabel 
You*re leaving Morton College? 

Madeline 

That runt on a high hill? Yes, I'm leaving grand- 
father's college — then maybe I can one day lie under the 
same sod with him, and not be ashamed. Though I 
must tell you [a little laugh] under the sod is my 
idea of no place to be. I want to be a long time — ^where 
the wind blows. 

Aunt Isabel 

[Who is trying not to cry.] I'm afraid it won't blow 
in prison, dear. 



154 INHERITORS 

Madeline 

I don't know. Might be the only place it would blow. 
[Emil passes the window, hesitates at the door.] I'll 
be ready in just a moment, Emil. 

[He waits outside. 

Aunt Isabel 

Madeline, I didn't tell you — I hoped it wouldn't be 
necessary, but your uncle said — if you refused to do it 
his way, he could do absolutely nothing for you, not 
even — bail. 

Madeline 
Of course not. I wouldn't expect him to. 

Aunt Isabel 

He feels so deeply about these things — America — 
loyalty — he said if you didn't come with us, it would be 
final, Madeline. Even — [breaks] between you and me. 

Madeline 

I'm sorry, auntie. You know how I love you. [And 
her voice tells it. ] But father has been telling me about 
the corn. It gives itself away all the time — the best 
corn a gift to other corn. What you are — that doesn't 
stay with you. Then — [not with assurance, hut feeling 
her way.] be the most you can be, so life will be more 
because you were. [Freed by the truth she has 
found] Oh — do that! Why do we three go apart? 
Professor Holden, his beautiful trained mind; Aunt 
Isabel — her beautiful love, love that could save the 
world if only you'd — ^throw it to the winds. [Moving 
nearer Holden, hands out to him.] Why do— [Seeing 



INHERITORS 155 

it is not to be, she turns away. Low, imth sorrow for 
that great beauty lost.] Oh, have we brought mind, 
have we brought heart, up to this place^ — only to turn 
them against mind and heart ? 

HolOEn 

[ Unable to bear more.] I think we — must go, {Go- 
ing to Madeline, holding out his hand and speaking 
from his sterile life to her fullness of life.] Good-bye, 
Madeline. Good luck. 

Madeline 

Goodbye, Professor Holden. [Hesitates.] Luck to 
you. 

[Shaking his head, stooped, he hurries 
out. 

Madeline 

[After a moment when neither can speak.] Good-bye 
— auntie dearest. Thank you — for the birthday 
present — the cake — everything. Everything — all the 
years. 

[There is something Aunt Isabel 
would say, but she can only hold 
tight to Madeline's hands. At last, 
with a smile that speaks for love, 
a little nod, she goes. Emil comes 
in. 

Emil 

You better go with them, Madeline. It'd make it 
better for you. 



156 INHERITORS 

Madeline 

Oh no, it wouldn't. I'll be with you in an instant, 
Emil. I want to — say goodbye to my father. 

[But she waits before that door, a door 
hard to go through. Alone„ Emil 
looks around the room. Sees the 
bag of corn, takes out a couple of 
ears and is looking at them as Made- 
line returns. She remains by the 
door, shaken with sobs, turns, as if 
pulled back to the pain sh^ has left. 

Emil 
Gee. This is great corn. 

Madeline 
[Turning now to him.] It is, isn't it, Emil? 

Emil 
None like it. 

Madeline 
And you say — ^your corn is getting better ? 

Emil 
Oh, yes — I raise better com every year now. 

Madeline 

[Low.] That's nice. I'll be right out, Emil. 

[He puts the corn back, goes out. From 
the closet Madeline takes her hat 



INHERITORS 157 

and wrap. Putting them on, she sees 
the tennis racket on the table. She 
goes to it, takes it up, holds it a 
moment; then takes it to the closet, 
puts it carefully away, closes the door 
behind it. A moment she stands 
there in the room, as if listening to 
something. Then she leaves that 
house. 



Curtain 



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